The global economic growth outlook remains highly uncertain with sluggish recovery in the U.S, and the European downturn likely to continue, UBS AG (UBS) Chairman Axel Weber told a conference Wednesday.

German chemicals company BASF SE (BAS.XE) Wednesday said it increased the price for vitamin B2, or riboflavin, products for human and animal nutrition with immediate effect, or at the earliest possible date according to existing contracts.

Crude-oil futures were slightly lower in Asian trade Wednesday, adding to their overnight losses on concerns over the global economy following sluggish U.S. manufacturing data.

Royal Dutch Shell PLC's (RDSB) regulatory issues in the U.S. Arctic, where it has incurred delays to its oil exploration campaign, is putting off other energy groups with licenses, reports The Financial Times, citing one of the most active groups in the region.

The downturn in private-sector activity in the 17-nation euro zone deepened in August, the Markit euro-zone composite purchasing-managers' index, or PMI, for the region indicated Wednesday.

German engineering and chemicals group Linde AG (LIN.XE) is planning a benchmark-size, euro-denominated, eight-year bond, one of the banks running the deal said Wednesday.

British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC, or BSkyB, (BSY.LN) Wednesday said it purchased 320,000 ordinary shares, for cancellation, on Sept. 4.

European stock markets inched higher in early trade on Wednesday, a day ahead of a much anticipated policy meeting in the European Central Bank, while BP PLC added pressure.

AstraZeneca PLC (AZN.LN) Wednesday said it purchased, for cancellation, 300,000 ordinary shares at a price of 2913 pence per share on Sept. 4.