A huge cyber attack against JPMorgan Chase this summer compromised customer information for about 76 million US households and seven million small businesses, the bank said.

US stocks rose last night after a strong gain in retail spending suggested that consumers could be getting more confident about the US economy. Bank stocks rose broadly after Citigroup delivered a strong earnings report.

Eleven people face charges over the hacking of nine major US retailers and the theft and sale of more than 41 million credit and debit card numbers.

Wal-Mart Stores has remained the world's largest retailer, according to a new survey.