AMC, GameStop shares fall to half of their June peaks

Shares of cinema operator AMC Entertainment (AMC.N) and video game retailer GameStop Corp (GME.N) fell sharply on Wednesday and were both trading below half their recent peak prices, testing the fortitude of the stocks’ retail shareholders.
U.S. CEO-to-worker pay ratio rose to 299:1 last year -union

The average S&P 500 .SPX chief executive made $15.5 million last year, 299 times the pay of the median worker and a higher ratio than in 2019, the top American labor union said on Wednesday, as the COVID-19 pandemic drove layoffs while executive compensation grew.
U.S. producer prices post biggest annual gain in more than 10-1/2 years

U.S. producer prices accelerated in June, leading to the largest annual increase in more than 10-1/2 years, suggesting inflation could remain high as robust demand fueled by the economy’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic strains the supply chain.
Asian shares lower on U.S. inflation jitters

Asian shares fell on Wednesday after data showing the biggest jump in U.S. inflation in 13 years fuelled some market expectations that the Federal Reserve could exit pandemic-era stimulus earlier than previously thought.
U.S. consumer prices post largest gain in 13 years; inflation has likely peaked

U.S. consumer prices increased by the most in 13 years in June amid supply constraints and a continued rebound in the costs of travel-related services from pandemic-depressed levels as the economic recovery gathered momentum.
Japan’s Q3 growth forecast cut as new pandemic curbs hit: Reuters poll

Japan’s economy will grow at a slower pace than initially expected in the third quarter, as fresh coronavirus emergency curbs in Tokyo, extending through the Olympic Games, weigh on consumption, a Reuters poll found.
Italy’s Ali Group hungry for bigger slice of U.S. fast-food market

Italian family business Ali Group expects its planned takeover of U.S. catering equipment rival Welbilt to boost sales as Americans’ appetite for takeaways and meal delivery drives a resurgent U.S. fast-food market, the company told Reuters.
American Airlines forecasts first positive cash flow since pandemic began

American Airlines (AAL.O) said on Tuesday it expects positive cash flow in the second quarter for the first time since the pandemic began, reversing a trend of cash burn of about $100 million a day when global travel had ground to a halt.
Singapore economy to get back on track after Q2 stumble

Singapore’s economy contracted in the second quarter after battling new outbreaks of COVID-19 but economists expect it to get back on track quickly as global growth picks up and vaccination rates rise.
Smithfield Foods stops slaughtering pigs at U.S. hometown plant

Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest pork processor, has stopped slaughtering pigs in the United States’ so-called ham capital, where the company was founded 85 years ago.