The national minimum wage rises to £6.31 for adults in the UK, an increase of 12p an hour, and by 5p to £5.03 for 18-to-20-year-olds.

Japanese manufacturers' sentiment has improved sharply, the Bank of Japan's closely-watched Tankan survey suggests.

Wells Fargo, the largest US mortgage lender, agrees a settlement with Freddie Mac to resolve claims over faulty loans it sold to the firm.

The US government begins a partial shutdown after the Republican-led House of Representatives refuses to approve a budget for next year.

Building and heating materials group Wolseley sees profits more than double, driven by the performance of its US division.

The dollar falls against a range of currencies, driven by fears that a partial shutdown of the US government will hit the country's economy.

The number of people out of work in Germany rose by 25,000 in September to just under three million.

Shares in consumer goods giant Unilever fall nearly 4% after the firm says sales growth in emerging markets has slowed.