Stock markets mixed as investors digest corporate results

Global stock markets diverged on Wednesday, with Wall Street pushing higher while European indexes slipped as investors digested a mixed bag of corporate earnings and signs the US Federal Reserve would hold off on interest rate cuts in the coming months.In the UK, British housebuilder Barratt agreed to buy competitor Redrow for £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) amid a housing market that has been hit by higher interest rates.