New U.S. Coronavirus Cases Slip to Lowest Since Late June

The global death toll from the coronavirus pandemic approached 775,000, after a hopeful start to the week in the U.S., which saw the lowest daily number of new cases in nearly eight weeks. 


 
S&P 500 Finishes Just Shy of Record

The S&P 500 is flirting with its record close from February, shortly before the coronavirus pandemic ravaged financial markets. 


 
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Joins the Gold Rush

Berkshire Hathaway's stake in Barrick Gold adds it to the list of big-name investors making wagers tied to the precious metal amid significant economic uncertainty. 


 
Home Builders Enjoy Covid Immunity, For Now

Builders of new homes serve a demographic than has been less impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. 


 
Revival of Brazil's Corporate-Bond Market Lures Foreign Investors

Foreign investors are flocking to the relatively high yields offered by big Brazilian corporations such as Petrobras, Vale and Braskem. 


 
Japan's Economic Backslide Likely to Take Years to Reverse

The world's third-largest economy was smaller in real terms in the second quarter of 2020 than it was when Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took office in 2012 following the coronavirus pandemic. 


 
Stock Rally Gives Commodities New Shine

Money managers are looking at commodities as an alternative to pricey stocks and bonds and as a hedge against inflation, marking a shift from the past half-decade. 


 
State Panel to Investigate Complaints of Calpers Investment Conflict

California officials said they opened an investigation into whether the former investment chief for the nation's largest pension fund violated state conflict-of-interest laws by holding personal investments in private-equity firms in which the fund is also an investor. 


 
Coronavirus Claims Hurt Shares of European Insurers

European insurers have been singed by coronavirus claims and restrictions, with the Euro Stoxx Insurance index off more than 20% so far this year. 


 
China Is on a Diet, but Food Shares Look Tasty

President Xi is urging citizens to conserve food as prices rise. An extra helping of food shares, however, might improve investors' financial health.