Novartis hikes FY forecast after Q3 profit beat

Novartis posts Q3 earnings with 10 per cent sales growth and 20 per cent core income growth. The drug maker has also hiked its FY guidance. HSBC sees Q3 profits jump by 10 per cent. The lender has also launched a $3bn buyback scheme on the back of slower-than-expected rate cuts. Wall Street begins the week in the green ahead of key inflation data and earnings from the tech sector. In autos news, Volkswagen is warning of unprecedented plant closures and mass lay-offs as the German giant struggles against Chinese rivals and poor demand for EVs.