US Business

Because the birthrate already was moving down, the push from the pandemic could result in what amounts to a scar on population growth, possibly deeper than those left by historic periods of economic turmoil such as the Great Depression.

China is calling on private-sector pioneers Ant Group and Tencent to help it develop a state-backed digital currency that threatens the pair’s highly popular payment networks.

Utilities and startups are joining forces to bridge gaps between cities with networks like those pioneered by Tesla, but earnings remain uncertain.

Japan’s Shionogi has started human trials for a once-a-day drug designed to neutralize the coronavirus in less than a week as Pfizer and Merck carry out later-stage tests.

Parts of the global economy are expected to surge over the coming months and start to catch up with the U.S. and China, though the Delta variant of Covid-19 looms as a potential headwind.

As chief executive of student-lending giant Sallie Mae, Al Lord helped drive up the costs of college. Now that he is footing tuition checks for his grandchildren, he said he has new sympathy for ordinary families.

Tokyo’s kickoff came a year late and without fans because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

More than a third of the S&P 500—including McDonald’s, Ford and Exxon—are expected to provide quarterly updates in the coming week.

Chicago is hoping a megacasino will aid its underfunded pensions but such projects face high costs and potential for political and zoning issues.

Companies are starting to summon workers back, though many employees have said they prefer more flexible office schedules. “We can’t be a great company working remotely.”