U.S. Stock Futures Extend Rally

S&P 500 futures rose on optimism that economic activity is gathering steam and authorities may offer more stimulus to bolster the recovery. 


 
The Stock Market and Consumer Sentiment Are Telling Different Stories

Stocks have rebounded dramatically off their March lows, while consumer sentiment is hovering near the lowest level in nearly a decade. The divergence is one of many realities investors are struggling to reconcile. 


 
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. 


 
Eurozone Faces Deeper Downturn Than Forecast: Lagarde

ECB President Christine Lagarde warned the eurozone economy will likely shrink 8%-12% this year, a deeper downturn than previously anticipated, as governments battle the coronavirus pandemic. 


 
SEC Fines Ares $1 Million for Compliance Failures

Ares Management has agreed to pay $1 million to settle allegations that it bought stock in one of its portfolio companies while an Ares employee sat on that company's board and had access to inside information. 


 
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%. 


 
Japan Offers an Investment Haven Whichever Way the Pandemic Goes

Internationally exposed Japanese stocks will benefit if the global recovery is faster than expected, but also have the mountainous cash holdings to outperform if things go wrong.