US MARKETS:

S&P 500 futures up 0.2% to 2,986.00
Brent futures up 0.5% to $62.73/bbl
Gold spot up 0.5% to $1,425.43
US Dollar Index little changed at 96.75

GLOBAL MARKETS:

Broadcom is after Symantec. Semiconductor manufacturer Broadcom, which has already acquired CA Technologies last year, is looking to diversify even further. According to Reuters, it is in advanced discussion to buy the security software publisher Symantec, which had a capitalization of $13.7 billion on Tuesday evening.

Tesla does not disappoint. Despite a slowdown in car sales in the US, Tesla reached a record high with 95,200 cars delivered in the second quarter, and more than 87,000 vehicles produced over the same period. These good figures bring some relief to the group after the disastrous results of the first quarter. However, there are still some concerns among investors about Tesla's ability to repay its debts and to raise money.

Synthomer purchases Omnova. Polymer maker Synthomer has agreed to fork out $824 million to acquire Omnova Solutions as it looks to strengthen its global reach. Synthomer said in a statement that this transaction will allow it to bolster its footprint in Europe and Asia and help penetrate into China. The deal should be completed by the end of the year or early 2020.

Unite Group buys Liberty Living. Student-accommodation developer Unite Group is buying Liberty Living Group from the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board for 1.4 billion pounds ($1.77 billion).

The largest hospitality trust in Asia-Pacific is born. Singapore's CapitaLand will merge with Ascott Residence Trust and Ascendas Hospitality Trust to form the largest hospitality trust in the Asia-Pacific region. The new entity will have an asset value of S$7.6 billion, and include a portfolio of 88 properties with more than 16,000 units in 15 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States of America.

Lee Iacocca, who saved Chrysler, died. Former CEO Lee Iacocca passed away on Tuesday evening at the age of 94, announced Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. A figure in the contemporary automobile industry, he helped launch the Ford Mustang and straightened Chrysler in the 1980s.

More trouble for Carlos Ghosn. French tax authorities conducted a search Wednesday at the headquarters of French car manufacturer Renault as part of an investigation into the financing of the group’s former CEO's lavish wedding at the Château de Versailles in 2016.

Amazon strengthens its workforce in France and the United Kingdom. The e-commerce giant announced the creation of 1,800 jobs in France by the end of 2019, mainly in logistics. In the United Kingdom, Amazon is expected to hire 2,000 people.