First-quarter net income rose 5.7% * French retail division's sales sink 11% * Lowers full-year cost of risk target * Shares reverse course, up 1.4% at midday (Updates shares) By Mathieu Rosemain and Matthieu Protard PARIS, May 12 (Reuters) - French bank Societe Generale posted better than expected quarterly earnings on Friday after turmoil in bond and currency markets boosted its trading business. The trading windfall cushioned a slump in SocGen's French retail division, where earnings were...

France's corporate startup scene is gaining traction against the backdrop of booming investments by venture capital funds and high expectations for a business friendly government under new President Emmanuel Macron. Bpifrance, the country's state investment bank, has led the effort over the past five years, acting as a catalyst for the burgeoning industry and a go-between for large cash-rich corporations and young entrepreneurs in need of funds to launch their business. It has in effect...