International News
Europe close: Stocks end higher, focus on Fed and Spain
Stocks finished higher, buoyed by weakness in the single currency during the first part of the session and the continuing grind higher by the main market indices on Wall Street.
Iraqi government calls on BP to help develop Kirkuk's oilfields
Iraqi government officials urged oil giant BP to assist in developing oilfields in the disputed city of Kirkuk on Wednesday after Iraqi troops and state-sanctioned militiamen stormed through the area on Sunday.
Spain's stance hardens as final deadline for Catalonia approaches
The Spanish government does not appear to be wavering in its ultimatum to Catalan separatists, as Mariano Rajoy’s Thursday deadline for clarification on the independence issue draws near.
US open: IBM soars, pulls Dow Industrials past 23,000
Gains for Big Blue on the back of its latest quarterly numbers have pushed the Dow Industrials clear of the 23,000 point mark with investors very much focused on the steady stream of corporate results coming out.
US housing starts fall for third consecutive month in September
A key indicator of homebuilding activity in the States fell back for a third consecutive month in September, but some economists brushed off the data, saying they expected to see at least a partial rebound in coming months.
Shell African licensee Vivo Energy mulls IPO
One of Royal Dutch Shell's major licensees in Africa is mulling a public listing that could value the firm at over $3bn (£2. 27bn).
Asia report: Markets mixed as Chinese Communist Party meets
Markets in Asia were mixed but little changed on Wednesday, as investors in the region were turning their attention towards Beijing and the Communist Party Congress for signals on the country’s policy direction.
Euro area construction output dips in August
Euro area construction output shrank slightly in August amid softer activity in both building and civil engineering.
US pre-open: Stocks seen a little higher as investors eye Dudley, Kaplan comments
US futures pointed to a slightly firmer open on Wall Street on Wednesday as investors eyed comments from Fed officials Dudley and Kaplan.
Xi hails 'new era' for China at opening of Communist Party congress
Chinese president Xi Jinping opened the Communist Party Congress with a three-hour speech on Wednesday in which he pledged to lead the country into a "new era", lowering trade barriers and deepening financial sector reforms.
McDonald's South Korean offices raided
South Korean prosecutors raided McDonald's Seoul office, as well as those of three partner companies, on Wednesday as part of a probe into allegations that the US fast food giant had been undercooking its meat, causing many customers severe illnesses.
US close: Markets finish higher amid busy earnings season
US markets finished in the green on Tuesday, with the Dow closing just short of the 23,000 mark which it breached for the first time ever earlier in the session, amid a busy third quarter earnings season on Wall Street.