MARKETS / FINANCE

GMAC Financial Services, a lender that has received $12.5 billion in government bailouts, posted a third straight quarterly loss on Wednesday, hurt by red ink in its mortgage business.

The U.S. labor market showed signs of improvement in October with fewer planned layoffs and private job cuts, though investors are waiting for Friday's government data for a confirmation of the trend.

Comcast Corp's quarterly profit rose 22 percent, beating expectations, as it sold more phone and Internet subscriptions, helping the top U.S. cable operator fight competition from phone and satellite companies for video subscribers.

Asian stocks rise for first day in three on profit optimism; Toyota gains.

Planned layoffs at U.S. firms fell for a third straight month in October to a 19-month low, feeding hopes the labor market will continue to improve as economic activity rebounds.

The Bank of Japan will keep interest rates near zero even as downside risks to the economy subside, the central bank governor said, reassuring investors its withdrawal from credit markets does not signal an exit from its ultra-easy monetary policy.

Britain's top shares added 0.9 percent by midday on Wednesday, boosted by gains in retailers Marks & Spencer (MKS.L) and Next (NXT.L), which posted forecast-beating results, while financials and miners also rose.

The dollar fell broadly on Wednesday as firmer equity and commodity prices buoyed demand for the euro and perceived riskier currencies, while traders braced for a policy decision from the Federal Reserve.

U.S. stock index futures rose on Wednesday on an upbeat forecast from carmaker Nissan and a rebound in European banks, ahead of jobs data and the Federal Reserve's statement on interest rates and the economy.

Censorship of the Internet is open to challenge at the World Trade Organization as it can restrict trade in services delivered online, a forthcoming study says.

German politicians seethed and unions tore up a deal to cut costs in protest at General Motors' completely unacceptable decision not to sell Opel, its European unit, after months of painstaking talks.

Stock index futures rose on Wednesday on an upbeat forecast from carmaker Nissan and a rebound in European banks, ahead of jobs data and the Federal Reserve's statement on interest rates and the economy.

Stock index futures rose on Wednesday ahead of key jobs and services sector data, with investors also eyeing the Federal Reserve's statement on interest rates and the economy.

Entrepreneurs are finding the road to Internet riches in China increasingly rough, facing a thicket of regulatory issues, stiff competition and a frontier mentality that leads to frequent underhanded practices.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday is expected to reaffirm its intention to keep U.S. interest rates at ultra-low levels for a long time to support the economy, even as signs of recovery accumulate.

Oil rose above $80 a barrel on Wednesday, extending the previous session's near 2 percent gain, following a U.S. industry report showing an unexpected fall in crude stocks and supported by a weaker dollar.

Stock index futures pointed to a higher opening on Wall Street on Wednesday as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's statement on interest rates and the economy.

World stocks rose from the previous day's four-week low on Wednesday while the dollar slipped ahead of a policy decision by the Federal Reserve, expected to affirm its commitment to ultra-low interest rates.

The dollar steadied below a one-month high against a basket of currencies on Wednesday, while Asian stocks edged higher in muted trade ahead of a policy announcement from the Federal Reserve that kept investors wary.

General Motors' decision to keep its European arm Opel after months of negotiations to sell it triggered anger and dismay in Germany, which had led the talks and was putting up much of the cash.

Oil held steady above $79 a barrel on Wednesday, after rising nearly 2 percent a day ago, following an industry report showing a rise in fuel inventories in the United States, though crude fell unexpectedly.

General Motors' Opel unit put the best face on its parent's stunning decision to reverse course and keep its European arm rather than sell it to a group led by Canada's Magna .

The dollar lost ground on Wednesday after hitting a one-month high against a basket of currencies, while Asian stocks edged higher in muted trade ahead of central bank meetings that kept investors wary.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday is expected to reaffirm its intention to keep U.S. interest rates at ultra-low levels for a long time to support the economy, even as signs of recovery accumulate.

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc has joined Goldman Sachs Group Inc in a bid to buy $3 billion in tax credits from mortgage giant Fannie Mae, the Wall Street Journal's website reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

General Motors reversed course on Tuesday by abandoning a long-expected sale of its Opel to a group led by Canadian auto supplier Magna and opting to keep the European unit after a year of uncertainty and high-stakes political negotiations.

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc will pay $26 billion to buy out Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp in a bet the nation's largest rail company will benefit from a recovering U.S. economy.

The Australian Dollar opens at US90 cents this morning after another volatile 24 hours. The Aussie hit an intraday high yesterday of 0.9090 on the back stronger gold and commodity prices before a rapid half-cent decline moments before the RBA's 2:30pm cash rate announcement. As expected, the central bank hiked rates by 25 basis points with governor Mr Glenn Stevens saying economic conditions in Australia have been stronger than expected and measures of confidence have recovered.

Spring Design, a maker of electronic readers, is suing Barnes & Noble Inc, claiming the bookseller's newly launched Nook reader illegally copied its dual-screen design after the two discussed a possible partnership.