Total sells $900m of its UK gas assets

Total, one of the biggest energy firms operating in the North Sea, has sold off $900m (£585m) of UK gas interests to cut costs, amid the continuing collapse of oil prices.

Wal-Mart reports fall in quarterly profits

The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, has reported a 22% drop in quarterly profit and given a weaker-than-expected earnings forecast for the coming year.

Japan Companies Say Recovery to Survive Higher Tax, Poll Shows

More than 80 percent of large Japanese companies expect the nation’s economic recovery to survive Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s planned sales tax increase in April, according to a survey by the Mainichi newspaper.

RBS sees government stake sale next year as it posts quarterly profits of £826m

Royal Bank of Scotland has reported its best quarterly result in more than a year with a pre-tax profit of £826m and said it expects the goverment to be able to start selling its stake it the lender by the middle of next year or even earlier.