The Bank of Japan has kept monetary policy on hold but hinted at action in October as it frets about a slowdown in the global economy.

Australia’s currency fell to a two-week low on Thursday after the country’s unemployment rate rose in August, which could increase the likelihood of the central bank further cutting interest rates.

New Zealand’s economy grew at its slowest rate in five-and-a-half years in the second quarter of 2019, as the country faces sluggish growth conditions amid trade tensions and a global economic slowdown. 

Microsoft said its board has approved new share buybacks and an 11 per cent increase to the tech group’s quarterly dividend, sending shares higher late Wednesday.

Berkshire Hathaway executive Tracy Britt Cool, who was hired by Warren Buffett as his financial assistant a decade ago, is leaving to form her own investment group.

Brazil’s central bank cut its benchmark interest rate for a second straight meeting, as key reforms continue to move forward and spur hopes of a recovery in the country’s sluggish economy.

US stocks fought their way back into positive territory following the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates, as investors digested remarks from Jay Powell and a more hawkish outlook than anticipated.

Jean-Claude Juncker has thrown doubt on the possibility of the EU striking a Brexit deal with the UK, warning that time is tight for an agreement as Boris Johnson has yet to spell out his demands on the Irish backstop.

A group of lobby organisations for American business is mounting a new effort to rein in Donald Trump’s powers to unilaterally impose tariffs, amid growing concern about the economic and financial impact of his trade policies.

Pilots at British Airways have cancelled next week’s planned strike action as they called on the airline to restart talks and end one of the most serious industrial disputes in its history.

Donald Trump has tapped Robert O’Brien, the envoy for hostage affairs at the state department, to be his national security adviser, capping a short search following John Bolton’s exit from the White House earlier this month.

The rate of new home construction in the US raced to its highest level in more than 12 years in August, against a backdrop of declining borrowing costs after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the first time since the financial crisis.

A SoftBank-backed Canadian lithium project has hit another setback after bondholders with $350m in debt decided to withdraw their support following delays to its construction.

Danish energy company Orsted said on Wednesday it had sold its domestic utility business for more than $3bn, months after being forced to hit pause on the divestment amid political push back.

The chances of a global recession are rising despite looser monetary policy from major central banks, while Europe faces another eight years of negative interest rates, JPMorgan Asset Management predicts.

Sirius Minerals remained under pressure as analysts and investors picked over potential financing solutions for its $5bn potash mine on the North York Moors.

UK inflation in August dropped to its weakest level since December 2016, driven by the prices of computer games and clothing, and offering a boost for consumers against the backdrop of a strong labour market and Brexit-related economic uncertainty.

UK home improvements group Kingfisher revealed that weakness in France, one of its two main markets, and B&Q outlets in the UK hurt its earnings in the first half.

A founder shareholder of Cenkos Securities with close links to stockpicker Neil Woodford is to leave the City of London stockbroker’s board as it grapples with pressure from an activist investor and declining revenues. 

French energy group EDF said that it would not for the moment need to close nuclear reactors due to welding problems that sent shares tumbling earlier this month.

Pendragon swung to a loss of in the first half of the year and warned it expected to report a full-year loss at the bottom end of its expectations as “heightened political and Brexit uncertainty” weighs on consumer confidence.

Japanese exports fell for the ninth straight month in August, data showed on Wednesday, as shipments from the world’s number three economy flail amid a global slowdown and trade tensions. 

Mozambique is teaming up with the energy trading giant Vitol to optimise overseas sales of its natural gas riches.

FedEx offered a dimmer outlook for its current fiscal year and booked quarterly earnings below Wall Street’s expectations, as the group continues to grapple with the fallout from the US-China trade spat and a severed ground-delivery deal with Amazon.