GLOBAL MARKETS-Citigroup results help stocks, boost dollar

LONDON, July 18 (Reuters) - Stocks trimmed earlier losses and the dollar rose while European government bond futures hit session lows on Friday after Citigroup (C.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) reported better-than-expected results for the second quarter.

Citi reported a second-quarter loss per share of $0.49, higher than forecasts of around $0.61-67. It took credit costs of $7.2 billion against some estimate of around $9 billion.

"As far as the tone in the equity market is concerned, results in the financial sector were not as bad as expected which has provided the dollar with some support," said Ian Stannard, senior currency strategist at BNP Paribas.

By 1040 GMT the FTSEurofirst 300 index .FTEU3 was down 0.1 percent on the day, having been down more than half a percent earlier. MSCI main world equity index .MIWD00000PUS was down 0.4 percent on the day, also off its intraday low.

The dollar was up 0.2 percent against a basket of currencies .DXY.

The September Bund future FGBLU8 hit session lows after the Citi results, trading down 20 ticks on the day.

(Reporting by Natsuko Waki; Editing by Victoria Main)