Reuters - Before the Bell

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Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Futures edge lower as growth worries linger

U.S. stock index futures edged lower on Wednesday, as investors continued to be gripped by global growth fears and an inverted yield curve that weighed on appetite for risk.

Ford to exit Russian passenger car market, cede control in JV

Ford Motor Co's Russian joint venture Ford Sollers will close two assembly plants and an engine factory in Russia, exiting the country's passenger vehicle market, it said on Wednesday.

Nissan committee says facts point to private use of company funds by Ghosn

An external committee tasked with improving governance at Nissan Motor Co said on Wednesday there were sufficient facts to suspect violations of laws and the private use of company funds by ousted chairman Carlos Ghosn.

Swedbank may have misled U.S. over client links to Panama Papers: Swedish TV

Swedbank may have withheld information from U.S. authorities over suspicious financial transactions, Swedish Television said on Wednesday, adding to pressure on the bank which is under investigation over money laundering allegations.

Swedbank says authorities searched headquarters

Swedbank confirmed on Wednesday that the Swedish Economic Crime Authority had searched its Stockholm headquarters but said no one had been informed they were suspected of a crime.

Southwest trims first quarter outlook after 737 Max groundings

Southwest Airlines Co on Wednesday was the first major airline formally to cut its financial outlook in the wake of the recent groundings of Boeing 737 MAX planes.

Wells Fargo's corporate bank struggles to regain footing

Wells Fargo & Co's corporate bank has a revenue problem.

Health insurer Centene to buy smaller rival WellCare for $15.27 billion

U.S. health insurer Centene Corp confirmed on Wednesday that it would buy WellCare Health Plans Inc in a cash-and-stock deal to bulk up its government-backed healthcare business, valuing its smaller rival at $15.27 billion.

Commerzbank cuts pay of top managers in contrast with Deutsche

Commerzbank's chief executive officer took a 32 percent pay cut in 2018, according to the bank's annual report on Wednesday, in sharp contrast to hefty pay increases for the top management at Deutsche Bank.

Swedish economic crimes authority carries out search at Swedbank headquarters

Sweden's Economic Crime Authority is carrying out a search at Swedbank's head office in relation to an ongoing investigation into whether the bank breached insider trading regulations, the authority said on Wednesday.