International News
US close: Stocks fall for second straight day as trade concerns take centre stage
Wall Street stocks closed lower for a second consecutive day on Wednesday after the White House hardened its stance on trade talks with China.
WTI drop as DoE reports unexpected rise in oil stockpiles
Commercial crude oil stockpiles in the US rose unexpectedly during the prior week, government data revealed despite a decline in net imports and domestic output.
Europe close: US-China trade concerns weigh on stocks
Stock markets on the Continent remained mired in the red on Wednesday amid the ongoing trade stand-off between the US and China.
US CPI for May comes in short of forecasts, analysts divided
Consumer prices in the US slipped by more than expected last mnonth amid declines in the price of energy and for used cars and trucks.
US open: Stocks start session lower as US-Sino trade tensions heat up
Wall Street stocks opened lower for a second consecutive day on Wednesday after the White House hardened its stance on trade talks with China.
UK government commits to net zero carbon emissions by 2050
The UK has committed to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and will become the first G7 country to legislate the proposal.
Asia report: Markets drop as Trump talks China and protesters rock Hong Kong
Asian markets were broadly lower on Wednesday as protesters stormed the streets of Hong Kong and Donald Trump said he had "no interest" in a trade deal with China unless Beijing agrees to the terms that it had previously accepted.
Lidl ramps up London expansion with £500m investment
German discounter Lidl has unveiled a £500m investment plan for London, as it looks to ramp up its foothold in the capital and heap further pressure on larger rivals.
US pre-open: Futures point to more losses as Washington hardens stance on trade talks
Stock futures were pointing to another dour session on the Street after the White House hardened up in its trade talks with China.
Trump urges China to adhere to already agreed terms on trade or risk more tariffs
President Donald Trump said that China must adhere to the terms of the trade deal that it had agreed to earlier in 2019 or risk a no-deal and higher tariffs.
Global expansion bolsters profits at Zara owner Inditex
Spain’s Inditex, the world’s largest clothing retailer, has reiterated its focus on global and digital expansion after reporting a jump in first-quarter profits, despite adverse weather tempering sales growth.
ECB's Villeroy ready to do 'whatever it takes'
The European Central Bank would add to existing policy stimulus if economic growth hit the skids, but it could only be expected to do so much to offset global trade tensions, a top official said on Wednesday.
Dassault Systemes to buy US clinical trial group Medidata
French technology group Dassault Systemes has agreed to buy US clinical trial company Medidata Solutions in a $5. 8bn deal.
KKR to buy Axel Springer in €6.8bn deal
US private equity group KKR has agreed to buy out the minority shareholders in German publisher Axel Springer in a deal that values the group at €6. 8bn.
China CPI picks up in May, but underlying inflation muted
Consumer level inflation in China picked up last month as pork prices increased at their fastest pace for 35-months, but underlying price pressures in fact slowed, pointing to still lacklustre demand, according to analysts.