In European Equity Markets the pan-European Stoxx 600 slightly pared early losses to end the session just 0.05% below the flatline, with financial services falling 0.9% to lead losses while auto stocks climbed 1.6%. Shares of Norwegian seafood company Mowi jumped over 5% to lead the Stoxx 600. At the bottom of the European blue-chip index, Eurofins Scient shed more than 8.3%. Britain’s BBA Aviation fell 5.2% while Hammerson shares traded 3.7% down after RBC downgraded the stock.

In Currency Markets the U.S. dollar fell across the board on Wednesday after dismal U.S. retail sales data painted a gloomy picture of the economy and supported the case for further interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The dollar index which measures the U.S. currency against six major currencies, was down 0.1% at 98.188. economy. Trade-oriented currencies such as the Australian dollar and the New Zealand dollar also weakened. The kiwi was down 0.64%. The pound was last up 0.27% against the greenback.

In Commodities Markets oil eased further below $59 a barrel on Wednesday, pressured by concerns about weaker demand for fuel due to slower economic growth and forecasts of a further rise in U.S. crude inventories. Prices gained some support due to signs from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries that further curbs to oil supply could come in December. OPEC and its allies meet on Dec. 5-6 in Vienna to review output policy. Brent crude, the global benchmark, fell 7 cents to $58.67 a barrel. U.S. crude gained 1 cent to $52.82.

In US Equity Markets indices inched lower on Wednesday as a congressional bill related to the Hong Kong protests stoked fears of more friction with China, even as another batch of positive earnings reports underscored a solid start to third quarter results. United Airlines was up 2% after topping analyst estimates for quarterly profit, and increased its 2019 profit target. Abbott Laboratories fell 3.3% after the medical device maker trimmed the upper end of its full-year earnings forecast and missed quarterly revenue estimates.

In Bond Markets German government bond yields hit their highest level since the end of July on Wednesday as Britain and the European Union appeared closer to a Brexit deal, denting demand for safe-haven assets. German government bond yields spiked to an 11-week high, extending a sell-off that began on Tuesday on news reports that British and EU negotiators were close to a draft deal, which boosted investors’ appetite for riskier assets. Germany’s 10-year yield was up 4 basis points at -0.39%, its highest since the end of July.