World Business News

Microsoft Corp is jumping into the fast-growing e-books market by investing $605 million over five years in Barnes & Noble Inc's Nook e-reader and college business, as it looks to unlock Amazon.com and Apple Inc's grip on the exploding tablet computer market.

The markets are likely to be range-bound during this truncated week amid sluggish foreign fund inflows, mixed corporate results and continued weak investor sentiment.

Asian shares rose on Thursday, retaining positive momentum as the Federal Reserve reassured markets it would keep its very accommodative stance to support growth, while optimism grew over strong quarterly corporate earnings.

Eurozone leaders have urged governments to focus on growth amid fears about the negative impact of austerity measures.