Noel Hutley

The judge weighing a record settlement in multiple class actions against S&P Global over toxic financial products said Tuesday there was “no way” he would sign off on the deal while it stipulated that all funds be returned to the ratings agency in the event the settlement amount is disclosed.

Volkswagen lost its bid Tuesday to exclude evidence from its own expert witness it claims has gone off script, an early blow to the car maker in the massive trial alleging it installed dual-mode software in diesel vehicles to cheat on emissions tests.