OPEC on Wednesday reached a preliminary deal that will cut production for the first time in eight years. The cartel agreed to drop production to a range of 32.5 to 33 million barrels per day, according to Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh, following a meeting in Algiers.

Thomson Reuters and CME Group announced today that they have agreed to implement connectivity between their instant messaging networks, Thomson Reuters Eikon Messenger and CME Pivot Instant Messaging, to support open and compliant cross-industry communication for financial and commodities markets.

The US Federal Reserve has kept interest rates at between 0.25% and 0.5% in the face of an uncertain jobs market.

Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) and LinkedIn Corporation (NYSE: LNKD) on Monday announced they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will acquire LinkedIn for $196 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at $26.2 billion, inclusive of LinkedIn's net cash. LinkedIn will retain its distinct brand, culture and independence. Jeff Weiner will remain CEO of LinkedIn, reporting to Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft. Reid Hoffman, chairman of the board, co-founder and controlling shareholder of LinkedIn, and Weiner both fully support this transaction. The transaction is expected to close this calendar year.