British inflation vanished last month, hitting zero for the first time on record, official figures showed on Tuesday. The annual rate of consumer price inflation dropped to zero percent, from 0.3 percent in January, the Office for National Statistics said, keeping a rate rise by the Bank of England firmly off the table for now.
Europe
Pirelli does not plan special dividend for ChemChina deal - sources
Italian tyre maker Pirelli (PECI.MI), which is being bought by China National Chemical Corp (ChemChina), does not plan to pay a special dividend to its shareholders as part of the buyout plan, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said.
Borse Dubai to sell $2.2 billion stake in London Stock Exchange: source
Borse Dubai [BRSDB.UL], the biggest investor in the London Stock Exchange is selling its stake in the British exchange, which will raise around 1.5 billion pounds ($2.23 billion).
European shares dip but hold near highs after Ifo
European shares dipped on Wednesday but held near multi-year highs and the euro rose against the dollar after a survey showed the German business climate improving.
Telefonica finalizes $15 billion sale of UK unit to Hutchison
Spain's Telefonica (TEF.MC) said it had finalised a deal to sell its British mobile business O2 to Li Ka-shing's Hutchison Whampoa (0013.HK) for 10.25 billion pounds ($15.2 billion), confirming details announced earlier this year.
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Brent crude reversed early losses to trade back towards $57 a barrel on Tuesday, as a weaker dollar overshadowed signs of slowing growth in China and Saudi Arabian oil production close to an all-time high.
The euro rose and European shares edged up on Tuesday, responding to signs the euro zone economy is gaining momentum, while a slowdown in factory activity in China kept oil and commodities-linked assets under pressure.
Italian prosecutors have wrapped up an investigation into allegations U.S. tech giant Apple (AAPL.O) failed to pay corporate taxes to the tune of 879 million euros ($964 million), two sources said on Monday.
Hutchison Whampoa Ltd (0013.HK) is expected to finalize a deal to buy Telefonica SA's (TEF.MC) British mobile unit O2 for 10.5 billion pounds ($15.70 billion) as early as Tuesday morning, the Financial Times reported.
Companies could issue a record $30 billion in so-called "green bonds" this year, but further growth in the market will depend on developments in China and common standards, Standard & Poor's Rating Services said on Monday.
The health warning on a MarkTen electronic cigarette package is 116 words long. That's much longer than the warnings on traditional cigarette packs in the United States.
Germany's Angela Merkel does not expect talks on Monday with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to resolve his differences with the euro zone over Greece's bailout but she does want to hear from him in person about his reform plans, an aide said.
Oil prices declined on Monday, holding near $55 a barrel after Saudi Arabia indicated it was now pumping near a record high of 10 million barrels per day, adding to concerns of global oversupply.
The dollar resumed its fall on Monday after its steepest weekly drop in 3-1/2 years, as comments by a top Federal Reserve official added to last week's dovish policy message.
