RBS SAYS IMPAIRMENTS LOWER THAN EXPECTED

Royal Bank of Scotland said that full-year impairments would be lower than expected as economic conditions and asset prices continue to improve in its key markets, prompting RBS shares to rise.

NEXT WARNS ON PROFITS IF WARMTH PERSISTS

British clothing chain Next warned that it is likely to lower its full year profit guidance if the unusually warm weather continues for the full duration of October.

EU BELIEVES APPLE'S IRISH TAX DEAL BREACHED RULES

European Union regulators laid out for the first time reasons why they believe tax deals granted to Apple in Ireland and Fiat in Luxembourg constituted illegal state support for the companies.

SOFTBANK, DREAMWORKS ANIMATION TALKS COOL

SoftBank's discussions to acquire DreamWorks Animation are said to have cooled, less than two days after word first emerged of the talks. DreamWorks shares spiked on the initial report, closing 26% higher.

APPLE SETS CHINA IPHONE 6 LAUNCH DATE

Apple said it would start selling the latest iPhones in China, the world's largest smartphone market, beginning Oct. 17.

FORD SHARPLY CUTS FULL-YEAR OUTLOOK

Just three months into the top job at Ford Motor, Mark Fields slashed the auto maker's full-year profit outlook on rising troubles in emerging auto markets and costs from quality troubles and U.S. recalls.

TELIASONERA PLANS STABLE DIVIDEND, COST CUTS

TeliaSonera has set the dividend it plans to pay this year and next as the same amount it paid in 2013, a change of policy that comes as the telecoms group juggles fresh cost savings with further investment.