Good morning. A US activist has snapped up a slice of Domino’s, signalling possible demands for a major change of direction at the struggling pizza chain.

Today, attention will turn to Royal Bank of Scotland and its third quarter results update. The bank remains majority-owned by the state following its 2008 bailout. It is expected to take a hit from payments relating to the PPI misselling scandal. We’ll also have Mario Draghi’s last policy meeting and press conference as head of the European Central Bank.

5 things to start your day

1) Consumer | US activist snaps up a slice of Domino's Pizza

Los Angeles-based hedge fund Browning West has become the UK-listed pizza company’s fifth biggest shareholder. What is its stake worth?

2) Automobiles | Tesla stuns Wall Street with return to profit

The electric car company shocked analysts, who had expected it to record a loss, by reporting a profit of $143m (£110m) on revenue of $6.3bn. What drove sales?

3) Energy | Amazon reveals three renewable energy projects

The online retailer has insisted it is seeking to cut rapidly fossil fuel use after a backlash from the firm's own staff. Where are the projects based?

4) Banking | New boss defends role of audit watchdog

Sir Jon Thompson has insisted the FRC can leave the past behind after criticism over its role in a string of company collapses. What firms were involved?

5) Economy | Drexit: Mario Draghi bows out from the ECB

Today’s final policy meeting brings down the curtain on an eventful eight years for outgoing president Mario Draghi. Read his best and worst moments here

What happened overnight

Stocks in Asia were mostly higher as investors took solace from a raft of earnings that provided some optimism against a background of concern that global economic growth lacks momentum. Treasury yields and the dollar were stable.

Shares edged up in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney and Seoul. Shanghai retreated. The S&P 500 Index earlier climbed to push above the 3,000 level. Nasdaq futures rose as revenue at Microsoft beat forecasts. Oil dipped after surging on supply concerns.

Elsewhere, oil gave back some of Wednesday’s advance when a US government report showed a surprise drop in crude supplies. Turkey’s lira rallied after President Donald Trump said he’s lifting recently imposed sanctions as the country complied with a cease-fire agreement.

Coming up today

Royal Bank of Scotland, like other domestically exposed UK-listed lenders, has seen its share price tossed about by global market currents – in particular, continued Brexit uncertainty. The UK’s tangled attempts to exit the EU have put a positive shine on the lender recently, with its share price jumping 15.5pc in two days earlier this month on hope of a breakthrough. That noise aside, however, investors will be focusing on RBS’s fundamentals.

“Given the focus on the macro, it won’t surprise you to hear we’ll be paying particular attention to metrics showing how the group’s weathering the current turmoil,” said Hargreaves Lansdown’s Nicholas Hyett. “Loan growth takes centre stage, since borrowing has tended to fall when companies and individuals are less confident. Bad loans will also be in the spotlight.”

Full-year results: Alumasc, Shoe Zone

Interim: AstraZeneca, KAZ Minerals, Polymetal International, Royal Bank of Scotland

Trading statement: AJ Bell, Brooks Macdonald, XPS Pensions

Economics: UK Finance mortgage approvals (UK), manufacturing and services PMIs (EU and US)