AkzoNobel makes 2015 profit splash, but future greyer

The world's top paint maker AkzoNobel on Wednesday announced profits had virtually doubled in 2015, but warned the next 12 months would likely be more muted. AkzoNobel's paint-making business is seen as a broad barometer of underlying global economic activity. "Looking ahead, we expect 2016 to be a challenging year and anticipate limited support from the markets in which we operate," said chief executive Ton Buchner.