International News
US close: Stocks record second straight day of gains
Stocks closed higher on Wednesday, extending the rally they initiated in the previous session as investors remained hopeful the Fed will lower interest rates before the end of the year.
Europe close: Stocks finish mostly higher, Italy lags
Stocks across the Continent finished slightly higher as the recent more dovish policy stance of central bankers in the US continued to percolate through financial markets, although analysts were cautious, not least given the uncertainty in Italy .
ISM May services PMI points to firmer jobs growth in the US
Activity on the services side of the American economy held up a tad better than expected last month, according to the results of a key survey of the sector's health.
Jaguar Land Rover and BMW announce collaboration on electric drive systems
Jaguar Land Rover and BMW Group confirmed on Wednesday that they are joining forces to develop next generation Electric Drive Units (EDUs) as part of a push in electrification technologies.
GameStop tumbles as it posts slump in Q1 sales, ditches dividend
GameStop shares tumbled on Wednesday after the US video games retailer said it was ditching its dividend following a slump in first-quarter sales.
European Commission calls for Italy to be sanctioned over debt pile
The European Commission has recommended that Italy be sanctioned for failing to tackle its soaring levels of public debt.
US open: Mixed start to trading as Wall Street attempts to extend Tuesday's rally
Wall Street trading began on a generally positive note on Wednesday, with stocks attempting to extend the rally they initiated on Tuesday.
US hiring stalls in May, ADP says
Hiring in the US hit a wall last month, according to the results of one of the most closely-followed surveys on the health of the US jobs market.
Trump says global warming is 'change in weather' and claims US is clean
Donald Trump dismissed climate change as “a change in weather” just hours after holding serious talks on the issue with Prince Charles.
Asia report: Markets rise amid Fed rate cut speculation
Asian markets were largely higher on Wednesday, tracking gains on Wall Street, with US indices having gained on the back of speculation that the Federal Reserve could cut interest rates in order to shield America's economy from the fallout from the trade war.
Eurozone retail sales ease as consumers rein in spending
Retail sales eased across the eurozone in April, official data published on Wednesday showed, as consumer sentiment remained muted.
US pre-open: Stocks set to continue rally as Powell comments boost sentiment
Wall Street futures were pointing to a positive start to the session on Wednesday, with stocks attempting to extend the rally started on Tuesday.
IMF cuts growth forecast for China as trade war heats up
The International Monetary Fund has revised down its economic forecasts for China, citing the growing trade war between Washington and Beijing, as it called on both countries to end the dispute.
Euro area producer prices surprise sharply to the downside in May
Factory gate prices in the single currency bloc dropped unexpectedly in April amid a downdraft in energy costs and falling inflation in France and Italy.
Euro area services PMI hits three-month high in May, but confidence sours
Eurozone services expanded at a "modest" pace last month, extending the sector's growth streak to just under six years, with Germany and Spain continuing to fare best, while in Italy activity levels continued to fall.
China services sector growth eases more than expected in May
Growth in China's services sector eased more than expected in May, according to data released on Wednesday.