HSBC announced a $2.5 billion share buy-back and pared ambitions to grow dividend payouts and returns as it took pragmatic steps to soothe investors amid slowing growth in its home markets of Britain and Hong Kong.

Oil prices slipped to fresh three-month lows Wednesday as worries about a global oversupply resurface ahead of the release of US stockpiles data later in the day.

Britain's economic growth unexpectedly accelerated in the second quarter in the run-up to the nation's shock EU exit referendum, official data showed Wednesday.

Australian inflation eased to a 17-year low in April-June, official figures showed Wednesday, raising the prospects of another interest rate cut to shore up the economy.

JAPAN'S government Wednesday announced a stimulus package worth more than 28 trillion yen ($266 billion) in its latest attempt to fire up the lukewarm economy, with the central bank expected to unveil its own measures this week.

Air France-KLM said Wednesday it managed to cut its net loss significantly in the first half of this year but warned attacks had reduced the attractiveness of France as a travel destination.

Egypt has asked the International Monetary Fund for financial support as it struggles to strengthen its economy, the IMF said Tuesday.

Britain will enter EU exit talks in a strong position, finance minister Philip Hammond declared Wednesday, after data revealed economic growth unexpectedly accelerated in the run-up to the Brexit referendum.

The sluggish global economy, more and healthier competition, and currency market turbulence again dragged on Coca-Cola Co.'s earnings in the second quarter, the company said Wednesday.

With iPhone sales and profits sliding, Apple on Tuesday sought to highlight its growth in services as it seeks to reduce dependence on its main cash driver.

The British government hailed a £344 million (410 million euro, $450 million) investment to expand London City Airport on Wednesday as evidence Britain was "open for business" despite its Brexit vote.

Electronics giant Philips posted a 57 percent jump in second quarter net profit Monday on the back of a major arbitration award, as it warned of volatile markets ahead for the rest of the year.

Chinese telecoms equipment giant Huawei said on Monday that revenue surged 40 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2016, boosted by steady growth in smartphone sales.

Britain's finance minister warned Brexit would cast a "shadow" over the world economy but said he was eyeing a free trade deal with China in interviews with the BBC and Sky News on Sunday.

Thailand's junta chief vowed Monday to reboot the flagging economy of the kingdom's poor and rebel-hit south, including by making the Muslim-majority region a hub for halal produce.

Europe's Commissioner for Justice is working with EU consumer groups to pressure Volkswagen to compensate clients in Europe as it has in the United States over the diesel emissions scandal.

Singapore's central bank chief vowed Monday to name and shame other banks engaged in money-laundering after a scandal involving Malaysian state fund 1MDB hurt the city-state's financial reputation.

Spain will post growth of 2.9 percent for 2016, Finance Minister Luis de Guindos said Sunday, revising an earlier forecast of 2.7 percent as the country's recovery gathers momentum.

Britain's vote to leave the EU has had a limited impact on business confidence in Germany, with belief in domestic strength still strong, a key survey showed on Monday. The closely-watched business confidence index from the Ifo institute in Munich fell to 108.3 points in July from June's figure of 108.7.

Chancellor Philip Hammond has begun discussions with China on an ambitious free trade deal which could see greater access for major Chinese banks and businesses to the UK economy.