International News
September FOMC - Analysts react
"The second surprise was that a number of the longer-run dots fell such that, now, 9 of 15 participants think the longer-run policy rate is below 3. 00%. In fact,5 of 15 now think the longer-run policy rate is at 2. 5% or lower. Contrast this with the June dot-plot where only 6 of 15 participants saw the longer-run policy rate below 3. 00%. This wholesale revision lower to the longer-run dots is the reason the 2s30s yield curve flattened so much in the wake of the headlines.
US close: Dow, S & P 500 close at session highs as Fed starts QE taper
The Dow Industrials and S & P 500 ended slightly higher even as the US Federal Reserve announced the historic end to its balance sheet expansion, although the Nasdaq was held back by losses in shares of Apple.
Federal Reserve to start taper in October, nudges rate forecast lower
America's central bank has stuck to script - or almost - announcing it will begin to taper the size of its balance sheet next month while keeping the target for its main policy interest rate unchanged at between 1. 0% and 1. 25%.
Fortum and E.ON in 'advanced talks' for sale of Uniper stake
Finnish firm Fortum announced on Wednesday that it was in advanced talks with E. ON over the potential €3. 76bn purchase of German energy company Uniper.
Europe close: Spanish stocks underperform
European stocks ended the session little changed amid moderate selling pressure on Spanish stocks on the back of the latest news around the attempted independence referendum in Catalonia and ahead of the US Federal Reserve's policy decision later in the session.
Apple discovers issues in new smartwatch 48 hours before shipping
Tech juggernaut Apple announced on Wednesday that its new Series 3 smartwatches had been experiencing significant connectivity issues just days before they were due to be shipped.
Ryanair may face new pilot battle amid flight cancellation fallout
Budget airline Ryanair was battling to deal with the 2,100 flights it cancelled this week after an error caused by a mix-up of pilots’ holidays, which could be followed by further problems with repercussions for its growth plans.
Higher imports, domestic output boost US oil stockpiles, DoE says
US oil inventories jumped last week even as rising imports offset a partial recovery at the country's refineries.
Bed Bath and Beyond fails to meet expectations again
Bed Bath and Beyond (BBBY) shares suffered after the New Jersey-based home goods retailer fell short of market expectations yet again.
US open: Stocks mixed ahead of FOMC, Apple drags
Investors are sitting on their hands ahead of the US central's bank's eagerly-awaited policy meeting.
HTC suspends shares amid Google takeover speculation
Trading in shares of Taiwanese technology group HTC will be suspended on Thursday following reports that Google parent Alphabet is planning a takeover.
US existing home sales unexpectedly drop in August
Sales of US existing homes unexpectedly fell in August, according to data from the National Association of Realtors.
Rationale for asset purchases now gone, ECB's Knot says
The stronger euro reflects the relative strength and stability of the single currency bloc's economy, a top European Central bank official said.
Theresa May preparing €20bn Brexit bill offer - reports
Theresa May is preparing to offer the EU €20bn to settle a post-Brexit divorce bill with the bloc, according to reports ahead of the Prime Minister's speech in Florence on Friday.
German factory gate inflation subdued outside of energy in August
German factory gate prices edged past forecasts last month amid broad-based gains, led by energy cost pressures.
Asia report: Markets mixed ahead of Fed decision
Markets in Asia were mixed on Wednesday, with volumes lighter as investors kept their wallets closed ahead of the end of the US Federal Reserve’s two-day meeting.
Donald Trump accused of 'hate speech' in UN address
Donald Trump was denounced by several member nations after his first major speech at the United Nations.
Theresa May to tell technology companies to go 'further and faster' in battling extremism
As part of her United Nations address on Wednesday, Theresa May was set to urge technology companies to go "further and faster" with their efforts to remove extremist content from the internet.
Tata and ThyssenKrupp reach agreement on steel merger
The European arm of Mumbai-based holding company Tata announced on Wednesday it had agreed to the first stage of a joint-venture with German steel manufacturer ThyssenKrupp.
US pre-open: Stocks seen muted as investors eye Fed announcement
US futures pointed to a muted open on Wall Street on Wednesday, with investors likely to err on the side of caution ahead of the latest policy announcement from the Federal Reserve.