Bank of America overcame a slower US economy, lower interest rates, and uneven markets to deliver better than expected profits in the third quarter of this year led by very strong investment banking fees performance.

The London Metal Exchange will raise its fees for the first time in five years next year, as its owner Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing looks to recoup its investment in the 142-year-old exchange.

Eurozone inflation slowed to its lowest level in nearly three years and further diverged from the central bank’s target as exports contracted, raising fears of a sharp economic slowdown.

A second fund run by Neil Woodford has been suspended following the investment manager’s dramatic decision to close his business last night.

UK inflation in September remained at its lowest level since late 2016, according to official data, providing continued support to consumer spending power as Brexit uncertainty clouds the economic outlook.

Sterling slipped on Wednesday as expectations for tumult in the currency markets have swelled with talks between UK and EU negotiators set to resume in a final push for a Brexit deal.

Latitude Financial has abandoned a second attempt at an initial public offering due to concerns that shares in Australia’s largest non-bank lender would tumble on debut, scuppering what was set to be the country’s largest listing this year.

EU regulators are expected to announce on Wednesday interim measures to force Broadcom to suspend alleged anti-competitive behaviour while it is being investigated, in the latest sign of a clampdown against big US tech companies.

Rio Tinto’s flagship iron ore business in Western Australia bounced back in the third quarter, reporting a 10 per cent increase in production of the key steelmaking ingredient.

United Airlines raised its full-year earnings forecast thanks to robust travel demand, further easing concerns over the financial impact of the Boeing 737 Max’s grounding.

US and European stocks jumped, government bonds sold off and the pound leapt as investors remained hopeful British and EU negotiators were close to a draft deal on Brexit.

Sterling shot to its highest level in five months on Tuesday while banking and building stocks jumped as hopes of a last-minute Brexit deal rose.

Royal Mail is facing the threat of national strikes in the run-up to Christmas after postal workers overwhelmingly backed industrial action in a dispute over conditions, job security and alleged bullying. 

Hunter Biden has pushed back against Donald Trump’s criticisms of his business dealings in Ukraine and China, saying it was “poor judgment” on his part but that he “did nothing wrong at all”.

Wells Fargo reported the latest in a string of low-growth quarters on Tuesday, as the bank prepares to welcome a new CEO later this month after a protracted search.

Revenue growth remains scarce at Citigroup, but a strong third quarter performance in its credit-card business, and resilience in its investment banking operation, kept the bank’s financial targets within reach.

Goldman Sachs suffered a worse-than-expected 27 per cent fall in net income during the third quarter, with trading emerging as the one bright spot in the bank’s four core divisions*.

Naturgy, a Spanish utility, and Sonatrach, Algeria’s state-owned oil and gas company, have agreed to buy Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala’s just over 42 per cent stake in the Medgaz gas pipeline between Algeria and Spain.

BlackRock achieved a record profit margin last quarter, as lower costs and new client money swelled assets at the world’s largest fund manager to almost $7tn.

Investor sentiment about the German economy declined less than expected in October, while remaining subdued over worries about the US-China trade war and the potential for a disruptive Brexit at the end of this month.

Thomas Cook’s chief executive said the failure of the UK government to back a last-ditch rescue deal led to the travel company’s collapse as he described having no contact with ministers in the days leading up to its liquidation.

The UK’s major lenders would be able to cope with being shut out of currency markets for up to three weeks if Brexit developments trigger big swings in the value of the pound, according to the Bank of England governor. 

UK pub and brewing group Marston’s said it expected a fall in profit this year as it took a hit from lower food sales, sending its share price sharply down.

Seplat Petroleum is to acquire London-listed Eland Oil & Gas for £382m, the companies have agreed, in a bid to scale the business and grow in Nigeria.