WORLD FINANCE UPDATE:
The Australian dollar has enjoyed a boost overnight after official figures showed the pace of inflation in the US slowed in June.
At 0630 AEST on Wednesday, the local currency was trading at 93.96 US cents, up from 93.93 cents on Tuesday.
And the Australian share market looks set to open higher following strong gains on international markets as investors welcomed news pro-Russian rebels had handed over the black boxes from the downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
At 0645 AEST on Wednesday, the September share price index futures contract was up 16 points at 5,511.
ELSEWHERE:
WASHINGTON - Higher petrol prices have pushed US consumer prices up in June but the pace of inflation slowed from May, the US Labour Department says.
WASHINGTON - Sales of existing US homes in June hit the highest level in eight months as home price gains slowed to "more welcoming levels", the National Association of Realtors says.
TOKYO - Japan has cut its fiscal year growth forecast for the world's number three economy, blaming weak exports and rising imports as well as the impact of April's sales tax hike on consumer spending and business confidence.
LUXEMBOURG - The main shareholder of troubled Banco Espirito Santo has been placed in receivership as Portugal's largest listed lender announced it has sold off the bulk of its Swiss-based private bank.
WASHINGTON - Two of Europe's largest banks, Barclays and Deutsche Bank, have sold complex financial products that allowed hedge funds to avoid US taxes, a US Senate report says.
NEW YORK - Coca-Cola has reported that second-quarter earnings dipped, as it notched strong volume growth in Asia but flat volumes in North America, Europe and Latin America.
OAK BROOK, Illinois - McDonald's Corp has reported earnings that declined by 0.7 per cent in its second quarter, and missed analysts' expectations.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 22, AP - Apple's growth prospects are looking brighter as anticipation builds for the upcoming release of the next iPhone, a model that is expected to cater to consumers yearning for a bigger screen.
REDMOND - Microsoft's fourth-quarter earnings have taken a hit from the Nokia devices business that it bought in April.
WILMINGTON, Delaware - DuPont Co has reported net income that climbed by 3.9 per cent in its second quarter, matching analyst expectations.
ZURICH - Watchmaking giant Swatch Group says first-half net profit slid by 11.5 per cent because of the costs of marketing at the Sochi Olympics, and unfavourable exchange rates.
Share
