CME denies media report of $16 bln takeover bid for rival Cboe

CME Group Inc (CME.O), the world’s biggest futures exchange operator, on Wednesday denied a media report that it approached rival Cboe Global Markets Inc (CBOE.Z), home to the VIX volatility index, with a $16 billion all-share takeover offer.

S&P 500 slips after Fed minutes show split over jobs, taper

The S&P 500 and the Dow industrials fell modestly on Wednesday after the release of minutes from the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting last month showed officials felt the employment benchmark for decreasing support for the economy “could be reached this year.”

Asian shares move off near year lows, NZ holds rates steady

Asian shares edged off near year-to-date lows on Wednesday despite Wall Street’s overnight declines, while New Zealand’s central bank defied expectations by not raising interest rates as the country is in lockdown due to cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant.

Dollar gains for 2nd day on Afghanistan, Delta variant worries

NEW YORK, Aug 17 (Reuters) – The dollar advanced for a second straight session on Tuesday, bolstered by safe-haven demand, as investors fretted about Afghanistan, a slowing Chinese economy, and the rapid spread of the Delta coronavirus variant which forced some lockdowns.