WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
The Australian dollar is lower but remains above 88 US cents following hotter-than-expected New Zealand inflation data.
At 0630 AEDT on Wednesday, the Australian dollar was trading at 88.05 US cents, down from 88.19 cents on Tuesday.
And the Australian share market looks set to open flat following a mixed lead from Wall Street.
At 0645 AEDT on Wednesday, the March share price index futures contract was down five points at 5,283.
ELSEWHERE:
WASHINGTON - The International Monetary Fund says the global economic recovery is strengthening as countries move away from austerity budgets and financial systems improve.
FRANKFURT - A widely followed index of German business optimism dipped unexpectedly in January but remained at a high level, suggesting an ongoing upswing in Europe's largest economy.
TORONTO - Bombardier says it plans 1,700 layoffs from its aerospace division.
MILAN - Italy's Fiat has completed the purchase of US carmaker Chrysler in a $US4.35 billion ($A4.95 billion) transaction after a five-year merger that creates a new global car giant.
PARIS - Renault says its sales rose by 3.1 per cent in 2013 to 2.63 million vehicles thanks to accelerating performance by its low-cost Dacia brand.
NEW YORK - Halliburton Co's fourth-quarter net income has risen 19 per cent, led by growth in its international operations.
NEW BRUNSWICK, New Jersey - Johnson & Johnson says fourth-quarter profit jumped 19 per cent, as prescription drug sales climbed sharply and the health care giant enjoyed a big tax benefit.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota - Delta is reporting better-than-expected fourth-quarter profit as fares and traffic rose.
NEW YORK - Verizon says it posted fourth-quarter net income of $US5.07 billion ($A5.7 billion), helped by the continued addition of more wireless devices to its network.
JOHANNESBURG - A rare 29.6-carat blue diamond has been discovered in a South African mine, and it could "be in a class of its own", the Petra Diamonds company says.
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