August 20 (Friday)

YRI
Dr. Ed’s latest video podcast
Daily Markets Overview
Today’s Morning Briefing

Markets
U.S. Stocks End Mixed After Bumpy Trading Day | W
S&P 500 ends with slim gain as tech strength offsets cyclical woes | R
Bond Market Signals Confidence in Fed Policy Outlook | W
Chinese Firms Shy Away From ESG Loans That Hold Them Accountable | B

Central banks
Fed Chair Powell to speak on ‘economic outlook’ next week | R

US
U.S. second-quarter growth likely to be revised higher after slew of strong data | R
U.S. weekly jobless claims hit 17-month low; ranks of unemployed shrinking | R
States can pay unemployment benefits past Sept. 6 using pandemic funds | C
Education Department cancels student debt for over 320,000 borrowers | C

Europe
German economy on track for stronger growth in Q3 – ministry | R

Geopolitics & trade
China Closes U.S. Auditor as Tensions Mount Over Forced Labor Allegations | W
 
Industries & companies
Consumer discretionary: Amazon Plans to Open Large Retail Locations Akin to Department Stores | W
Energy: Michio Kaku calls nuclear fusion test at national lab ‘giant step toward the holy grail of energy research’ | C
Tech: Intel CEO Calls Chip Maker ‘Willing Buyer’ as Semiconductor Industry Consolidates | W

Technology
Are You Ready for Sentient Disney Robots? | N

Virus
CDC’s failure to share real-time information on delta variant stymied U.S. response | WP
Sens. Hickenlooper, Wicker and King test positive for Covid after being fully vaccinated | C
Covid booster shots: Scientists blast U.S. move as premature | C
The CEO Wants His Staff Vaccinated. He Also Worries They Will Quit. | W

Beyond markets
A Skeptical Stock Analyst Wins Big by Seeking Out Frauds | N