
(Reuters) Oil prices weakened following early gains on Wednesday, but remained underpinned by tightening supply and strong global demand.

Bitcoin has sunk a further 12% to below $10,000 halving in value from its peak price when it skyrocketed last year.

Shares in Rolls-Royce have jumped by almost 7% after an announcement that it is embarking on a further simplification of the business with the potential sale of its commercial marine operation.

Tiffany & Co has posted a holiday period boost to profits with worldwide net sales increasing by 8% to $1.05bn in the quarter ended December 31 2017.

Bank of America Corp has announced a profit of $2.4bn, or $0.20 per diluted share in its quarter four results. These results include a charge of $2.9bn, or $0.27 per diluted share, related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Oil prices are subject to a complex array of socio-economic, geo-political and technology factors. Yet analysts are in agreement that the ongoing production cuts led by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC giant Russia will set the price for 2018.

A lawsuit has been filed against the five largest investor-owned fossil fuel companies by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio due to their contributions to global warming.

Coca Cola have launched the biggest product and marketing makeover in its 36-year history for one of its biggest brands Diet Coke in an attempt to appeal to millennials.

US domestic crude oil supplies fell by 4.9 million barrels for the week ended January 5, according to the latest US Energy Information Administration report.

The National Audit Office will oversee Britain’s estimated £39bn exit bill to the EU and investigate the “reasonableness” of the payment.

Berkshire Hathaway has appointed two new vice-chairmen to its board, raising speculation that one of them will succeed Warren Buffet as chairman and chief executive.

Sears Holdings Corporation has raised $100m in new financing and is pursuing an additional $200m from other counterparties.

Following a five-day rally, European stocks were down on Wednesday with financial services providers edging forward as bank shares climbed, mirroring the rise in US bond yields.

With a gradual return to increased interest rates expected, insurance consultancy Mercer has highlighted ways companies can ensure their internal governance and investment risk frameworks are robust enough to deal with the “inevitable shocks” that will arise in 2018.