U.S., China trade meeting ends with sharp response to Trump
Talks between U.S. and Chinese trade officials seeking ways to end a year long trade war lasted barely half a day before ending on Wednesday with a terse response from China’s Foreign Ministry to U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning not to stall.
Puma braces for U.S.-China tariffs with extra inventory
German sportswear group Puma is carrying up to 7% extra inventory as it prepares for the possible imposition of U.S. tariffs on goods produced in China, and expects to have to raise prices, Chief Executive Bjorn Gulden said on Wednesday.
Brexit and subsidy row cloud strong Airbus profits
Airbus urged European governments to step up plans for a “likely” no-deal Brexit and settle a long-running subsidy dispute with the United States to help limit trade risks for Europe’s largest planemaker.
China accuses U.S. of flip-flopping in trade negotiations
China’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday that the United States was to blame for flip-flopping in bilateral trade negotiations over the past year, after comments from U.S. President Donald Trump warning Beijing against stalling talks.
Aston Martin shares plunge to new low as carmaker slumps to half-year loss
Shares in Aston Martin plunged 17% to a post-flotation low on Wednesday after the luxury British carmaker slumped to a half-year loss, the latest automotive firm to be hit by falling demand in Europe.
German prosecutors charge ex-Audi boss Stadler over emissions cheating
German prosecutors said on Wednesday they had filed charges against former Audi Chief Executive Rupert Stadler, who is being investigated over his role in Volkswagen’s emissions test cheating scandal.
EssilorLuxottica eyes bigger global retail network with $8 billion deal for GrandVision
EssilorLuxottica , the world’s largest eyewear maker, announced on Wednesday it is buying Dutch optical retailer GrandVision in a cash transaction worth up to 7.2 billion euros ($8 billion) to expand its global retail network.
Oil rises for fifth straight day as market awaits Fed, stockpiles fall
Oil prices rose for a fifth day on Wednesday, buoyed by a bigger-than-expected drop in U.S. inventories and as investors awaited a widely expected cut in interest rates by the U.S. Federal Reserve, the first in more than 10 years.
Lloyds Bank profits fall after fresh $669 million PPI charge
Britain’s biggest mortgage lender Lloyds Banking Group posted weaker-than-expected pretax profits on Wednesday, as a further 550 million pound ($668.9 million) provision to meet claims for mis-sold insurance to consumers weighed on earnings.
Carmaker Aston Martin swings to a half-year loss
Aston Martin swung to a half-year pretax loss of 78.8 million pounds ($95.8 million) as profits were hit by expansion costs, lower average selling prices and weaker-than-anticipated volumes, the luxury British carmaker said on Wednesday.