Pakistan will need to cut expenditures and development funds to try and revive an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said on Wednesday.

Shares in Danone rose over 8% on Wednesday, lifted by a media report of merger interest from French dairy rival Lactalis and stronger than expected first-quarter sales, which reassured investors its revival plan was on track.

Health insurer Anthem Inc raised its full-year adjusted profit forecast on Wednesday, on strong performance from its Medicaid unit and the business that houses its pharmacy benefits management unit.

Health insurer Anthem Inc posted an 8.4% rise in quarterly profit on Wednesday, helped in part by strength in the business that houses its pharmacy benefits management unit.

The yen has tumbled 10% to a two-decade low to the dollar in a matter of weeks. But history suggests that still isn't cheap, and investors are betting that it's going to fall even further.

China's finance ministry and tax regulator on Wednesday said they will accelerate Value Added Tax (VAT) credit rebates for small firms.