U.S. Stock Futures Extend Rally

S&P 500 futures rose, alongside most European stock indexes, as investors weighed the impact of rising U.S.-China trade tensions against signs that economic activity is gathering steam. 


 
Investment in U.S. Shale Projects to Halve in 2020, IEA Says

Investment in the U.S. shale sector will drop by half this year, the International Energy Agency said, predicting a period of pain for producers, even as oil prices rally. 


 
Lagarde: Europe's Pandemic Slowdown Probably Won't Be Mild

ECB President Christine Lagarde said the eurozone economy is likely to contract along the lines previously outlined in the bank's medium to severe scenarios, ruling out the "mild" possibility. 


 
Decline in China's Industrial Profits Moderated in April

China's industrial companies reported improved profitability in April, as the nation's factory output led the economic recovery. 


 
U.S. Home-Price Growth Accelerated in March

Average home prices increased at a faster rate in March, even as home sales dropped after the coronavirus pandemic shut down economic activity in some regions. 


 
RBNZ Says New Zealand Mortgage Rates Can Fall Further

Mortgage rates in New Zealand still have room to fall, the central bank governor said Wednesday, after trading banks lowered home-loan interest rates to well below 3.0%. 


 
Puerto Rico Board Backtracks on Planned Bondholder Payments

Puerto Rico's financial oversight officials are backing away from commitments made to bondholders as the economic damage from the coronavirus becomes clearer, according to people familiar with the matter. 


 
Mexico's Economy Shrinks in First Quarter on Early Pandemic Effects

Mexico's economy contracted 1.2% in the first quarter of the year, as the coronavirus pandemic started to affect industry and services. The decline was smaller than the preliminary 1.6% contraction reported at the end of April. 


 
For Economy, Worst of Coronavirus Shutdowns May Be Over

Recovering air travel, hotel bookings and mortgage applications are among the early signs the U.S. economy is slowly creeping back to life. 


 
Lumber Prices Rebound From Coronavirus Decline

Lumber futures have soared since the start of April, driven by cutbacks at mills, signs that the home-building season might be salvaged and brisk business at home-improvement stores.