Bloomberg Saudi International Petrochemical Co. signed a non-binding agreement to acquire Sahara Petrochemical Co. in an all-share deal valued at just over $2 billion. Saudi International Petrochemical Co., or Sipchem, will issue each Sahara shareholder with 0.8356 new Sipchem shares, the companies said in statements on Wednesday. The deal is valued at about $2.2 billion, according to Tuesday’s closing price. …

Bloomberg US stocks rose towards records and the dollar gained after upbeat private jobs data bolstered confidence in the world’s largest economy. European assets firmed on news the Italian government may rein in spending. The S&P 500 Index headed for a record close as technology and financial shares advanced. Italian debt jumped after four days of selling and the Stoxx …

Bloomberg For some Philippine money managers, it’s still too soon to scoop up shares in the world’s worst-performing stock market. As the Philippine Stock Exchange Index dipped below 7,100, taking its valuation to its lowest level since January 2016, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. is among the firms that’s staying on the sidelines. John Padilla, the head of equities at …