Finance news you need to know today

VOLKSWAGEN boss Dr Herbert Diess hopes to put the troubled brand’s emissions scandal behind him very soon, with its engine fix submitted to regulators.

Latest Consumer Technology Products On Display At CES 2016

HERE are ten things making news in business and finance around the world today.

1. SYDNEY — The Australian dollar has plunged to a two month low on increased concerns about the Chinese economy after weak services sector data. At 0700 AEDT on Thursday, the local unit was trading at 70.59 US cents, down from 71.20 cents on Wednesday.

2. SYDNEY — The Australian share market looks set to open lower after global stocks fell for the fifth consecutive day. At 0650 AEDT on Thursday, the March share price index futures contract was down 17 points at 5,059.

3. WASHINGTON — US Federal Reserve policymakers decided to raise interest rates last month after almost all of them gained confidence inflation was poised to rise, but some voiced worries inflation could get stuck at dangerously low levels.

4. WASHINGTON — US businesses stepped up hiring last month, led by solid gains in construction and retail, a private survey has found.

5. KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia Airlines has lifted a much-criticised ban on checking in baggage on flights to Paris and Amsterdam, a day after limiting bags to lighten the plane and save fuel.

6. WASHINGTON — The US trade deficit dropped to the lowest level in nine months in November as exports fell to a nearly four-year low.

7. WASHINGTON — Orders to US factories declined in November for the third time in the past four months. A key category that tracks business investment fell as well.

8. LAS VEGAS — The top executive of the Volkswagen brand worldwide says he’s optimistic that US environmental regulators will approve fixes within the coming weeks or months for diesel engines that cheat on emissions tests.

9. LAS VEGAS — Video streaming company Netflix Inc has launched its services in 130 countries, covering almost the entire globe except China, as part of efforts to counter slowing growth in the United States.

10. NEW YORK — Chipotle has been served with a federal grand jury subpoena as part of a criminal investigation tied to a norovirus outbreak at one of its restaurants in California.