Reuters Before the Bell: Global stocks inch higher as stimulus hopes spur tentative rebound

Click to View in Browser Tuesday, August 20, 2019 Global stocks inch higher as stimulus hopes spur tentative rebound Stock markets edged higher on Tuesday as investors welcomed signs that more monetary and fiscal stimulus was on its way, hoping more easing would help stave off a major global economic downturn. U.S. yield curve: Invert, steepen, repeat A swift steepening of the U.S. 2-year/10-year yield curve after it inverted last week may have given investors hope that the United States can escape recession. They should probably take a breath. Inverted what? Searches for obscure financial term spike on Google Searches on Google for "inverted yield curve" have spiked after the unusual bond market phenomenon presented itself last week for the first time in over 12 years and helped tank Wall Street amid chatter that an economic downturn was imminent. Elanco to become No.2 in animal health with $7.6 billion Bayer deal Elanco Animal Health agreed to buy Bayer's veterinary drugs unit on Tuesday in a cash and stock deal valued at $7.6 billion, creating the second largest animal health business and expanding Elanco's reach online. Kohl's quarterly profit beat lifts shares even as sales dip Department store operator Kohl's Corp reported better-than-expected quarterly profit and revenue on Tuesday and said it expects to benefit from newer partnerships and the expansion of its Amazon returns program in the second half of the year. Stocks futures subdued after strong rebound on stimulus hopes U.S. stock index futures treaded water on Tuesday as investors paused after a three-day run that was driven by hopes that major economies would act to counter a global economic downturn. Huawei founder details 'battle mode' reform plan to beat U.S. crisis China's Huawei will spend more on production equipment this year to ensure supply continuity, cut redundant roles and demote inefficient managers as its grapples with a "live-or-die moment" in the wake of U.S. export curbs, founder Ren Zhengfei said. Top U.S. CEOs say companies should put social responsibility above profit Corporate America is responsible for providing economic benefits to all, not just its investors, the Business Roundtable group said on Monday. Humbled Deutsche Bank faces battle in its own backyard Online retailer Zalando is just the kind of fast-growing German business with foreign expansion plans that Deutsche Bank Chief Executive Christian Sewing needs to help drive the struggling lender's recovery. Oil prices rise on stimulus hopes, trade optimism Oil prices rose on Tuesday on optimism U.S.-China trade tensions will ease and on hopes major economies will take stimulus measures to ward off a potential economic slowdown that could hit oil demand. Related Video European shares gain for third straight session, AstraZeneca boosts Facebook, Twitter spot fake posts on HK protests Make sense of the market with highlights of valuable financial information and reports along with compelling investment insights. Register Today The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today » » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2019 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add newsletters@email.reuters.com to your address book. Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook