Chinese Stocks Surge as Individual Investors Pile Into Market

The flagship Shanghai Composite Index hit its highest since early 2018, as small investors bet that a recovering Chinese economy and easier financial conditions would fuel a boom in corporate profits. 


 
U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll Nears 130,000 as Infection Rate Surges

The U.S. death toll from the coronavirus pandemic neared 130,000, as surging infection rates in many parts of the country heaped more pressure on overstretched hospitals. 


 
Economy Week Ahead: Services, Jobless Claims and Inflation

Service-sector, unemployment and inflation measures highlight a relatively quiet week for official economic data. 


 
China Is Unlikely to Meet Purchase Targets for U.S. Energy

Economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic has cast doubt on whether China can meet its targets to buy U.S. goods under this year's trade deal-with energy emerging as the biggest casualty. 


 
German Factory Orders Rebound

German manufacturing orders jumped 10.4% in May, a sharp rebound from the previous month, but still fell short of consensus forecasts. 


 
Don't Know How Much Stimulus Is Needed? Put It on Autopilot, Some Say

With the Federal Reserve unable to cut interest rates, the U.S. budget should have stronger "automatic stabilizers," some say, such as by tying unemployment insurance benefit generosity to the unemployment rate. 


 
Are Stock Investors 'Irrationally Exuberant' Again?

One of the current narratives about the market is that it's being boosted by foolishly optimistic investors. The numbers don't support that. 


 
Oil Crash Crushes Individual Investors, Prompts Trading Overhaul

Many amateur investors got burned in an April price crash as some market professionals thrived, leading mutual-fund companies, traders and others to change their practices to try to prevent future collapses. 


 
Gasoline Is Cheap This July Fourth. Fuel Retailers Aren't Complaining.

Drivers hitting the road over July Fourth weekend are poised to enjoy the cheapest holiday gasoline prices in years, but the gas stations are doing OK, too. 


 
French, Spanish Services Sectors Returned to Growth in June

The services sectors in France and Spain returned to growth in June, while those of Germany and Italy saw much smaller declines in activity than in recent months, according to surveys of purchasing managers published Friday.