European stock markets closed on a positive note on Wednesday, with The Stoxx Europe Index rising by 0.32%. Germany's DAX showcased a gain of 0.42%, while London's FTSE climbed by 0.28%. France's CAC experienced an increase of 0.39%, and the Swiss Market Index concluded the day 0.34% higher. The trading day was relatively calm concerning economic data across major European nations, as investors remain focused on the forthcoming policy decision from the European Central Bank, scheduled for Thursday.
In the corporate sector, HSBC is reportedly evaluating cuts amounting to at least $3 billion as the British bank continues its global operational restructuring under the direction of new CEO Georges Elhedery. UK oil and gas producers BP and Shell, alongside French energy major TotalEnergies, and other companies engaged in natural gas production in Oman, will be summoned for discussions in the first quarter of the upcoming year.
These talks will center around potential investments in Oman’s next liquefied natural gas production facility. However, the three companies have yet to provide comments in response to inquiries from MT Newswires. In Australia, British mining giants BHP Group and Rio Tinto are confronting separate class action lawsuits alleging their roles in cultivating work environments that allowed systemic sexual harassment and gender discrimination against female employees, as reported by various media outlets.
Furthermore, UK-based pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca and US counterpart Merck announced on Wednesday that recent updates from a phase 3 trial of Lynparza indicated the drug delivers a significant survival benefit for patients diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer..