Employment is expected to rebound again in this week’s update on payrolls in July, but it’s still premature to equate positive monthly hiring comparisons with an all-clear signal for the labor-market and economic outlook. A more reliable measure of what’s brewing can be found in two weekly reports: initial and continuing jobless claims. On both fronts, the numbers are still flashing warnings.

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Search for survivors continues in Beirut after massive blast at port: BBC
Dems and GOP report progress on coronavirus relief bill: CNBC
Risk of conflict between China and Taiwan may be rising: CNBC
One-fifth of US small businesses dismiss or plant to dismiss workers: BBG
Looking for investment wins if the Dems sweep in November: II
Eurozone Composite PMI: output rose at fastest rate in 2 years in July: IHS Markit
UK Services PMI posts strongest rise in five years in July: IHS Markit
China Services PMI: growth slowed in July: Reuters
US factory orders rose for a second month in June: MW
Gold continues to rally, reaching record high: BBC