Greece has the second highest at 20 per cent. More than 26 million people are now looking for work across the EU. The eurozone has struggled in recent years as government measures to reduce sovereign debt levels have impacted on economic growth.

 

Growing sales of smart phones have powered another quarter of record profits for Samsung electronics. The company estimates an operating profit of 8.3 billion dollars, a 90 per cent jump from the same period last year. The success of its Galaxy smart phones helped Samsung overtake Nokia as the world's biggest phone maker last year.

 

To the markets.

 

The Dow has closed down 54 points. The Nasdaq lost 8 points. The S&P 500 fell 5 points. And in London overnight, the FTSE shed 11 points. 

 

Checking commodity prices.

 

West Texas Crude is trading at 93 US dollars a barrel. Tapis Crude is at 119 US dollars a barrel. And gold is trading at 1658 US dollars an ounce.

 

The Australian dollar and you can buy 105 US cents, 80 Euro cents and 65 pence sterling.