Finance news you need to know today

IN DRAMATIC scenes at a Las Vegas gadget show yesterday, US marshals seized hoverboards from a Chinese manufacturer accused of copying its design.

Hoverboard representative Brynn Gwynn holds a Hoverboard at CES International Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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

1. CHINA — China’s major stock indexes rose more than two per cent in early trade on Friday after Beijing deactivated a circuit breaker mechanism blamed for aggravating market crashes this week.

The CSI300 index rose 2.4 per cent to 3,371.87 points by 12.27pm (AEDT) while the Shanghai Composite Index gained 2.2 per cent to 3,194.63 points.

2. LAS VEGAS — A Chinese company has been accused of copying an electronic hoverboard.

In dramatic scenes at the CES gadget show yesterday, United States marshals seized property and marketing materials on behalf of Californian firm Future Motion Inc.

That company says it has a temporary restraining order against Changzhou First International Trade Co, which is accuses of copying its Onewheel electric hoverboard with a rival product called the Surfing Electric Scooter.

3. LONDON — Britain’s Treasury chief has warned of a “dangerous cocktail” of new threats to the economy, insisting that the country’s robust growth is not immune to troubles from abroad.

4. WASHINGTON — Volkswagen chief executive Matthias Mueller will meet with the top US environmental regulator next week, marking the highest-level talks since the German carmaker admitted to using software to evade emissions requirements in 580,000 US vehicles.

5. SAN FRANCISCO — The alliance between carmakers Renault and Nissan will launch more than 10 cars with self-driving technology over the next four years in the United States, Europe, China and Japan, the partnership’s leader says.

6. PRETORIA — South Africa has resolved a dispute with the United States over farm exports, allowing agricultural goods to be exported to the world’s top economy without penalties.