China Industrial Profit Rises, Though Recovery Looks Uneven

The profitability of China's industrial companies looks relatively strong as more than 70% of those surveyed reported higher profits than before the coronavirus pandemic, according to the statistics bureau.

Dow, S&P 500 Set Records

U.S. stocks inched higher, building on last week's highs, ahead of a busy week of earnings from technology companies. Bitcoin soared on speculation that Amazon may venture into the cryptocurrency universe.

Bitcoin Jumps to a Six-Week High

Some investors attributed the rally to short positions being liquidated and speculation that Amazon may be venturing into digital currencies.

Infrastructure Negotiators Try to Overcome Late Hurdles

Aides squabbled over funding for water infrastructure and how to apply a requirement that federal contractors pay their employees a locally prevailing wage, among other issues.

Foreign Purchases of U.S. Homes Fall to New Low

Foreigners bought $54.4 billion in U.S. residential real estate in the year ended in March, down 27% from the prior year, according to a report by the National Association of Realtors.

Investors Aren't Playing Defense, but the Military Splurge Isn't Over

Defense stocks are under pressure from lower Department of Defense investment and investors' focus on the pandemic reopening, but Lockheed Martin's cheap valuation may overestimate the extent of the budget cuts.

Credit Card Spending Bill Will Come Due

Card companies are enjoying minuscule losses and big spending, but competitive risks loom

A Key Gauge of Future Inflation Is Easing

Inflation expectations, an important signal of future inflation, have begun to ease in the past month, a development that should reassure the Federal Reserve in its prediction that the recent inflation surge will prove largely temporary.