MARKETMIND The price of U.S. recovery

One way or another, Wednesday’s U.S. July inflation print could prove key for markets torn between strong data that suggests the time for withdrawing stimulus is nearing and concern that a resurgent delta COVID variant could stall growth.
Pfizer shares hit record high with COVID-19 vaccine stocks on a tear

Shares of Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) hit a record high on Tuesday for the first time in more than 20 years as shares of COVID-19 vaccine makers have surged amid rising coronavirus cases in the United States.
AMC gives up gains after quarterly results, film release deal

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc (AMC.N) shares reversed course to trade down 5.7% on Tuesday a day after it posted better-than-expected quarterly results and a deal with Warner Bros for an exclusive movie release period for cinemas.
Dow, S&P 500 close at records as U.S. infrastructure bill clears Senate

Wall Street rose on Tuesday, with both the blue-chip Dow and benchmark S&P 500 closing at record highs, as economically sensitive value stocksgained with the U.S. Senate’s passage of a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package.
Analysis: UN climate report increases urgency for green investment funds

Dire warnings about climate change are a call to action for investors who put their money into helping the environment. But the news also heightens a debate about how to make these strategies effective, financial executives said.
Australia lowers bar on public companies’ disclosures, extends virtual AGMs

Australia on Tuesday eased so-called continuous disclosure laws for publicly listed companies, which will now protect companies and their officers against liabilities for misleading and deceptive statements or forecasts unless “fault” is proven.
Reliance joins Bill Gates, others to invest $144 mln in U.S. energy storage co

Indian oil-to-telecoms conglomerate Reliance Industries Ltd (RELI.NS) said on Tuesday it would invest $144 million in U.S. energy storage company Ambri Inc, along with billionaire Bill Gates, investment management firm Paulson & Co and others.
Asian stocks on backfoot as concern over Delta variant saps confidence

Asian stocks started off on a weak footing on Tuesday after a largely soft performance on Wall Street and as persistent concerns over the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus dented sentiment and triggered falls in metals and oil prices.
Analysis: Virtually forever? Switch to online AGMs gains pace despite concerns

A mass corporate switch in Europe to holding virtual annual shareholder meetings or AGMs has picked up pace this year, raising concern among investors that some companies will try to ditch the physical version permanently.
Slow growth in Japan’s bank lending shows COVID-19 cash crunch easing

Japan’s bank lending rose in July at the slowest annual pace in nearly nine years, data showed on Tuesday, a sign companies were emerging steadily from a cash crunch last year caused by the coronavirus pandemic.