France has said it is completely in line with Germany and other EU members over Brexit and thinks the most likely outcome now is that the UK will leave at the end of October without a deal.

Blowout quarters from US retailers Target and Lowe’s sent their share prices up sharply as Americans continue to spend despite the gloom hanging over the global economy.

US and European stocks gained following modest moves across Asian bourses as traders awaited fresh clues on US monetary policy.

Norway’s $1tn oil fund held a record amount of equities at the end of June, raising fears that the world’s largest sovereign wealth investor could have loaded up on shares again at the top of the cycle.

A German lender has sold €1bn in mortgage-backed bonds with the most deeply-negative yield on record, highlighting the lengths buyers such as banks and asset managers need to go in order to stash their cash in a world of sky-high bond prices.

Iron ore prices have fallen by 30 per cent this month and hit their lowest levels since March on Wednesday after warnings by miner BHP that prices were likely to be lower over the next year.

Germany has sold 30-year debt at a negative yield for the first time, although demand at Wednesday’s auction was weak as some investors balked at the prospect of paying to tie up their cash for three decades.

The UK’s public finances were weaker than expected in July, reflecting the slowing economy amid Brexit uncertainty and increased government spending on preparations to leave the EU.

Global Fashion Group, the emerging markets-focused online fashion retailer, unveiled a sharp rise in sales and new customers on Wednesday, in the first set of results since its disappointing stock market listing last month.

Russia’s top oil producer Rosneft has reported a fall in second-quarter net profit as a shutdown of the country’s most important export pipeline to Europe hurt earnings.

AstraZeneca has disclosed a setback for one of its key cancer treatments, saying a trial involving immunotherapy drug Imfinzi was no more effective than regular chemotherapy at treating advanced lung cancer.

Thai exports bucked expectations by rising for the first time in five months in July, as the broader economy struggles amid increasing trade tensions and a slowdown in its key tourism industry.

The US and Venezuelan presidents have confirmed that high-ranking officials from their respective governments are engaged in talks to resolve the Latin American country’s long-running political crisis.

Cardinal George Pell lost a court appeal against his conviction for child sex abuse on Wednesday, marking the latest chapter in a case that has plunged the Catholic church into crisis and divided public opinion in Australia. 

Australian casino operator Crown Resorts has reported a fall in its annual profits on the back of a slump in spending by VIP gamblers, in what has been a troubled year for the company. 

Cardinal George Pell lost a court appeal against his conviction for child sex abuse on Wednesday, marking the latest chapter in a case that has plunged the Catholic church into crisis and divided opinion in Australia.

Walmart has sued Tesla alleging that solar panels supplied by Elon Musk’s company were responsible for fires at seven of its stores. 

JPMorgan flipped in favour of Beyond Meat on Tuesday as analysts noted its plant-based burgers are “catching on with consumers” and awarded the company its lone bull rating on Wall Street.

Wall Street slipped for the first time in four days, following the lead from global stocks that fell as investors weighed up the prospect of fiscal stimulus from some of the world’s biggest economies, while Italian assets were back in focus as prime minister Giuseppe Conte announced his intent to resign.

A second former JPMorgan Chase precious metals trader has pleaded guilty to criminal charges of spoofing, the Department of Justice said on Tuesday.

Investors have called a foul on the parent company of the New York Knicks.

US home improvement retailer Home Depot cautioned that the US-China trade war meant its sales growth this year would be slower than previously expected, joining a growing list of American companies whose performance is being dented by tariffs.

Wood, the energy services group, will offload its nuclear business for £250m as part of a drive to cut down its debt levels.

Casino has outlined plans to sell an additional €2bn in assets as the French retailer looks to slice its debt and focus on key markets.