International News
Martin Franklin-backed blank cheque company to launch on London market - report
A group of investors are poised to float a special purpose acquisition company on the London Stock Exchange, with the intention of raising $750m.
US database specialist Snowflake rockets on first day of trading
Shares in Snowflake were being called to start trading at as high $175, or 46% above the price set for their initial public offering.
Eli Lilly monoclonal antibodies may reduce Covid-19 hospitalisations, study shows
Monoclonal antibodies being trialled by Eli Lilly appeared to help some patients rid themselves of the Covid-19 vrius more quickly.
US open: Stocks higher ahead of Fed rate decision
Wall Street stocks opened higher on Wednesday ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee's latest policy meeting.
Madrid may tighten mobility restrictions, Bank of Spain cuts GDP forecasts
The regional government of Madrid appears set to tighten mobility restrictions in several of the districts and suburbs witnessing the most rapid increases in Covid-19 infections.
US retail spend slows in August as auto and gasoline sales drag
US retail sales volumes grew more slowly than anticipated last month, weighed down by slower growth in consumer spend for autos and at gasoline stations.
Asia report: Markets mixed after better-than-expected Japan export data
Markets in Asia finished in a mixed state on Wednesday, as investors digested data out of Japan, showing the country’s exports declining less than anticipated in August.
Trump criticises WTO over ruling on US tariffs against China
US President Donald Trump criticised the World Trade Organization for being “completely inadequate” after it ruled against US tariffs on China and said they breached international regulations.
Euro area exports to US and UK still significantly lower year-to-date in July
The single currency bloc's surplus on trade with the rest of the world widened in July, nearly completing a V-shaped recovery to pre-Covid levels.
US pre-open: Futures point to early gains ahead of Fed decision
Wall Street futures had stocks opening higher ahead of the bell on Wednesday ahead of the Federal Open Market Committee's latest policy meeting.
Scottish Power to help produce green hydrogen to fuel transport
Scottish Power’s wind and solar farms are to start producing green hydrogen that will be used to fuel buses, ferries and even trains as part of a strategy to boost the country’s hydrogen economy.
Global economy could recover in 2021 if stimulus kept up - OECD
The global economy could return to growth next year as better outlooks from the US and China combined with a “massive response” to the Covid-19 pandemic from other nations lessened GDP contraction, the OECD said on Wednesday.
Inditex reaches 'turning point' as stores reopen
Zara-owner Inditex said on Wednesday it had hit a turning point in the second quarter as trading started to normalise, enabling the world's biggest fashion retailer to return to profitability.
Suez to sell recycling units to Schwarz Group's PreZero
French waste management company Suez said on Wednesday that it is in exclusive negotiations with Schwarz Group's environmental division PreZero about the sale of its waste-recycling and recovery businesses in the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and Poland for an enterprise value of €1. 1bn.
No safety issues with Covid-19 vaccine trial so far - Pfizer
Pfizer's phase three clinical trial for its Covid-19 vaccine candidate has encountered no safety problems even after over 12,000 volunteers had been administered a second dose.