British corporate profitability fell to its lowest rate in 8 years in the second quarter of 2009, official data showed on Wednesday, driven by a steep fall in gas prices which hit
Oil prices rose for the third day and topped $71 a barrel on Wednesday, as an industry report showing a small drawdown in U.S. crude stockpiles last week fed optimism for a
Gold hit another record high on Wednesday as the dollar slipped and global stocks rose for the third day running, erasing their losses in October. Investors continued their scramble for yield, lifting
European shares edged higher in early trade on Wednesday, building on a major gain in the previous session, with miners among the biggest risers. At 0838 GMT, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of
* U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open for Wall Street on Wednesday, extending the previous session's sharp gains and ahead of the start of third-quarter earnings season, with aluminium
Britain's top share index was flat early on Wednesday as investors paused for breath after the previous session's sharp rise, with gains in miners offsetting weak energy stocks and ahead of the
Amazon.com Inc is introducing Kindle, its wireless electronic reader, for over 100 countries, including China and most of Europe, intensifying a battle for the burgeoning digital book market. The move, announced on
Cyprus President Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat hold on Wednesday their third meeting in the framework of the second round of UN-led direct negotiations, which began in September
Gold slipped slightly from its all time high on Wednesday as the dollar steadied, while global stocks rose for the third day in a row. Investors also continued their scramble for yield,
Japans Nikkei average rose 1.1 percent on Wednesday, with shares of steel and metals companies rising in the wake of a jump in commodity prices, while banks climbed on continued optimism about
