1 The scandal that has embroiled Volkswagen over diesel car emissions has sent its shares plunging as much as 40 per cent, wiping tens of billions of euros off its market value. The German carmaker was set to name a new chief executive.

2 Palm oil entered a bull market as the ringgit slumped and the strengthening El Nino weather phenomenon threatens to cut supply from the world's biggest producers, Bloomberg said. The benchmark futures contract closed at RM2,342, the highest since March 4.

3 The offer period for the first issue of the Singapore Savings Bonds closed yesterday. This inaugural issue gives an average yield of 2.63 per cent a year if held for 10 years.

4 Fabchem China said that it has resumed loading commercial explosives products onto its customers' vessels. Activities were halted after explosions last month at the port in Tianjin led to the temporary closure of the ports used by Fabchem's units.

5 Tung Lok Restaurants (2000) says it will vigorously defend a claim by interior decoration firm China National Decoration, which has asked for a higher late payment penalty. The case relates to Tung Lok's unit in Beijing.