Bloomberg U.S. index futures climbed as Apple Inc. led technology shares higher and investors awaited the Federal Reserve’s update for clues on the timing of interest-rates increases. Apple rose 5.8 percent in early New York trading after posting a smaller-than-expected revenue decline as its cheaper iPhone model gained more traction. Suppliers Qorvo Inc. and Skyworks Solutions Inc. gained in ...

  Brussels / AFP The European Commission on Wednesday backed away from slapping fines on Spain and Portugal for running high deficits, in what would have been a landmark move by the EU to impose tough budget rules. Under bloc regulations, the EU executive could have imposed fines of up to 0.2 percent of national gross domestic product (GDP) against ...

  Frankfurt / AFP European banks are lending more to consumers and businesses but not enough to boost economic growth, analysts said on Wednesday based on new figures from the European Central Bank. Loans from eurozone banks to households and companies grew 1.1 percent in June, the same pace as in April and May, the European Central Bank said on ...