Merlin Entertainments has approached SeaWorld Entertainment about a potential deal as the UK theme-park operator and owner of Madame Tussauds seeks to expand overseas to offset a slide in tourists visiting London.

A strengthening dollar and worries about an overheated market hit stocks today.

A downgrade of the semiconductor sector sent technology shares lower on Wall Street today, but the overall stock market ended mixed as large-caps benefited from a late-day rally.

The chief executive of fast food giant McDonald’s has defended his company’s plan for reviving lacklustre US sales after analysts panned it and shares sank to yet another seven-year low.