International News
Geely acquires an 8.2% stake in AB Volvo
China's Geely Holding has bought an 8. 2% stake in AB Volvo from activist investor Cevian Capital, turning it into the second largest shareholder of AB Volvo.
State to grant Bus Éireann an extra €7m for free travel scheme
State-owned company bus Éireann will get an extra €7m next year to increase payments to the company for pensioners’ free travel.
Europe close: Stocks finish the session little changed
Stocks on the Continent ended the session little changed but off their worst levels, as investors drew encouragement from a positive start to trading Stateside.
US consumer confidence falls from 17-year high in December
Consumer confidence in the US slumped at the end of 2017, albeit after reaching a 17-year high in November, according to one of the most widely-tracked gauges of sentiment.
US open: Stocks nudge up in thin trade; pending home sales and consumer confidence in focus
US stocks edged higher in early trade on Wednesday as investors digested the latest data on home sales and consumer confidence, with volumes light as many traders were still away from their desks for the holidays.
US pending home sales edge higher in November
Pending home sales in the States edged higher last month, according to one of the sector's leading industry groups, but existing home sales were seen flatlining in 2018 due to sharp price growth and the impact of recently approved changes to the country's tax laws.
US embassy in London refuses to pay £11.5m in traffic charges
American diplomats have racked up more than £300,000 in unpaid congestion charge penalties in less than a year, adding to the £11. 5m owed in traffic charges, according to The Independent.
Governments may act if Bitcoin prices triple, Citi says
It's hard to say how high Bitcoin prices may rise, but many signs point to it being just a bubble and government action against it - possibly should prices triple - will likely determine its peak value, analysts at Citi told clients.
US pre-open: Stocks seen muted amid low holiday volumes
US futures pointed to a muted open on Wall Street on Wednesday, with volumes expected to remain light for the rest of the week as many traders are still away from their desks for the holidays.
Citi projects modest weakness in the US dollar in 2018
Foreign exchange strategists at Citi retained a 'bearish' view on the Greenback in 2018, predicting it would weaken by roughly 5% against other G10 currencies over the next six to 12 months and on average by between 1% and 2% against those from Emerging Markets.
Washington to cut $285m from UN budget after Jerusalem vote
The US government has announced it will slash its United Nations budget obligations for 2018 and 2019 in response to a UN vote over the city of Jerusalem.
Asia close: Chinese stocks fall as industrial profit growth slows
Asian stocks were mostly higher overnight save those in China in the wake of figures revealing a slowdown for industrial profits last month.
US close: Apple drags despite buoyant readings on consumer spend
Stocks slipped a little at the start of the holiday-shortened week as reports of poor demand for Apple's new iPhone X offset buoyant readings on consumer spend during the festive season.