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A general election period brings uncertainty but can also be good for businesses. While there are naturally concerns that things can slow down in the run up to a vote, it is also a chance for entrepreneurs and business leaders to have their voices heard.

Luxury goods maker Jimmy Choo has offered the company up for sale after a slowdown in sales in recent years. The company, which is valued at about £700m, could attract the attention of rival luxury brands. For more on this and other company announcements, Michael Considine was joined by Ken Odeluga, Market Analyst at City Index.

European markets have been dominated by the fallout from Emmanuel Macron's victory in the French presidential election. Macron came out on top with 23.7% of the votes against Le Pen's 21.5%. Macron is now expected to win the run-off between the two of them. To look at the economic climate in France in more detail, and for more of the day's big macro news, Michael Considine was joined by Jamie McGeever, Chief Markets Correspondent at Reuters.

Today on the agenda, Sarah Pennells and David Braithwaite from Citrus Financial Management discussed the cap on household energy bills set to be included in the Conservative manifesto. Plus they look into the new 12-sided pound coin only came into circulation last month, but it has already been forged. All these stories and more on The News Review.

Facebook says it is working on technology to allow us to control computers directly with our brains. It is developing “silent speech” software to allow people to type at a rate of 100 words per minute, it says. The project, in its early stages, will require new technology to detect brainwaves without needing invasive surgery.

UK consumer confidence fell by one percentage point in the first quarter of 2017, according to the latest Consumer Tracker report from Deloitte. So, what's contributing to the negative movements in consumer confidence? Joining Nigel Cassidy was Ian Stewart, chief economist at Deloitte to discuss further...

So, France's National Front leader Marine Le Pen and newcomer Emmanuel Macron will fight it out to become the new president. They've both made it to the second round of voting - a week on Sunday. Mr Macron is 39-and only decided to form his own party last year. So what happens after the first vote?

Simon Rose is joined by the Share Centre's Investment Research Analyst Helal Miah to take a look at the corporate week ahead, including news from Lloyds, GSK, and RBS.

The latest finance bill, which follows last month's budget, has ambitious plans to digitise the UK tax system, and it may be dropped altogether because of the General election. Alternatively, it could be rushed through the Commons on Tuesday. The government is set to hold emergency negotiations with Labour over the final bill, attempting to push through and change complex clauses with minimal debate so it can be passed by the deadline on the 25th. For more on this, Ed Bowsher was joined by Anita Monteith, Tax manager at The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Sports Direct has bought into some US businesses, buying 50 sports stores in the US including Bob's Stores and Eastern Mountain Sports. The previous owner of the stores, who sold them to Sports Direct for $100m, had filed for bankruptcy. For more on this and other company news, Ed Bowsher spoke to Craig Erlam, Senior Market Analyst at Oanda.