HSBC has announced a $2.5bn (€2.23bn) share buy-back and pared ambitions to grow dividend payouts and returns. The pragmatic steps are to soothe investors, amid slowing growth in its home markets of Britain and Hong Kong.

Shareholders in Britain’s Lloyds Banking Group are calling on the government to rethink plans to sell down its stake in the lender to ensure taxpayers get the best deal.

Lloyds Bank is expected to set out its dividend plans next week, including a potential return of surplus cash to shareholders, making its stock more attractive ahead of a possible sale to retail investors, industry sources have said.

“A great appointment” is how Steve Bruce has described Martin O’Neill’s decision to select Roy Keane as his number two, with the Hull City boss predicting the pair will work well together at the helm of Irish football.