International News
Europe close: Spanish stocks extend bounce
European stocks finished little changed ahead of the release of the minutes of the US central bank's last policy meeting amid news that the Spanish government has asked officials in Catalonia to explicitly clarify their position.
eBay's UK tax bill softened by re-routing its revenues via Switzerland
The British division of Californian e-commerce behemoth eBay paid just £1. 6m in corporation tax, despite reporting $1. 32bn in total revenues from its UK operations to its parent company, bringing attention to the increased practice of international companies routing revenues to more favourable tax regimes.
Crude stockpiles drop alongside falling imports, DOE says
US crude oil inventories dropped sharply last week alongside a fall in imports and rising product stockpiles.
Compagnie St-Gobain reinforces mortars business with Megaflex acquisition
French multinational Compagnie de Sain-Gobain (COD) announced on Wednesday that it had acquired Argentinean construction supply firm Megaflex through Weber, its mortars business.
Trump to visit UK on 'working visit' in early 2018
Donald Trump was said to be planning a stripped-down trip to the UK in early 2018 as diplomats discussed the idea of the president embarking on a "working visit" to Britain as opposed to the standard red carpet affair.
Spanish Socialist leader announces deal to study Constitutional reform
Spain's Socialist leader welcomed a deal with the country's Prime Minister to analyse a possible reform of the Constitution.
Asia report: Markets mostly higher on positive economic data
Markets in Asia were mainly in the green on Wednesday, as indices followed the lead of a strong Wall Street overnight after fresh signs of confidence in the United States.
Spain takes first step towards invoking Article 155
Spain's government has taken a first step towards invoking article 155 of the Spanish Constitution, which would open the door to the possible suspension, in part or in whole, of the region of Catalonia's autonomy.
US pre-open: Stocks seen muted ahead of FOMC minutes, earnings
US futures pointed to a muted open on Wednesday as investors eyed the minutes from the Federal Open Market Committee’s September meeting and the start of the third-quarter earnings season.
Investment banks facing fifth year of falling revenues, S&P warns
Investment banks could be forced to restructure if the current lull in market volatility continues to pare revenues, said credit rating agency S&P Global as it warned ratings downgrades could follow.
Madrid mulls response to Puigdemont's 'suspended independence'
Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy will chair a special meeting of his cabinet on Wednesday after Catalan president Carles Puigdemont simultaneously declared and suspended independence for the region.
US close: Stocks step higher as dollar dips amid Trump tax tiffs
US stocks indices extended their gains on a Tuesday that was light in terms of economic data with investors waiting for minutes from the Federal Reserve's last policy meeting and for the corporate earnings season to kick off later in the week.