US consumer prices rose 0.1% from June to July and 3.4% over the past year, easing from 3.5%, according to a government report Wednesday. The data suggest inflation is slowly cooling while remaining above the Federal Reserve's target.
In Europe, Germany's final inflation figures confirmed annual consumer price growth at 2.8% in July, up from 2.3% in June.
In Africa, Zambia holds a general election Thursday. The country, Africa's second-largest copper producer, has 8.79 million registered voters.
Separately, a UOB survey of 380 Chinese companies found that 80% plan overseas expansion within three years, with Malaysia as their top destination.