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| Stock Markets Rise on Hopes of Recovery: Live Updates | Stock Markets Rise on Hopes of Recovery: Live Updates |
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| Hundreds of Wendy’s restaurants have run out of hamburgers. Kroger, the largest supermarket chain in the United States, is limiting the amount of ground beef and pork that customers can buy at some stores. And Costco, where shoppers typically buy in bulk, has placed a three-product cap on purchases of beef, poultry and pork. | |
| Over the last month, dozens of meatpacking plants across the country have shut down because of coronavirus outbreaks, raising concerns about the country’s meat supply. Now, the impact of those disruptions is reaching customers at grocery stores and fast food drive-throughs, where certain types of meat, like hamburgers, are harder to find. | |
| On Monday, nearly one in five Wendy’s restaurants — a total of 1,043 locations — were sold out of beef products, including burgers, according to analysis by the financial firm Stephens, which examined the online menu at every Wendy’s in the United States. | |
| More meatpacking plants announced shut downs this week, including a Seaboard Foods pork processing plant in Oklahoma, where more than 100 workers tested positive for the coronavirus. | |
| Parking lots have been a digital lifeline during the pandemic, a patch for one of the most stubborn problems in technology — and one the coronavirus has exacerbated. Instead of spending hours in restaurants, libraries and cafes, people without fast internet access at home are sitting in lots near schools, libraries and stores that have kept their signals on. | Parking lots have been a digital lifeline during the pandemic, a patch for one of the most stubborn problems in technology — and one the coronavirus has exacerbated. Instead of spending hours in restaurants, libraries and cafes, people without fast internet access at home are sitting in lots near schools, libraries and stores that have kept their signals on. |
| School leaders in Philadelphia and Sacramento have encouraged families to use free hot spots in library and school parking lots. More than 100 people logged on to the Wi-Fi of one of Omaha’s libraries over three days recently. Near Topeka, Kan., a steady flow of cars now arrive outside the public library, while other cars cluster near connected bookmobiles parked in lots near a women’s correctional facility and a mobile home park. | School leaders in Philadelphia and Sacramento have encouraged families to use free hot spots in library and school parking lots. More than 100 people logged on to the Wi-Fi of one of Omaha’s libraries over three days recently. Near Topeka, Kan., a steady flow of cars now arrive outside the public library, while other cars cluster near connected bookmobiles parked in lots near a women’s correctional facility and a mobile home park. |
| “I hope that there is a lesson learned from this,” said Gina Millsap, the chief executive of the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. “Broadband is like water and electricity now, and yet it’s still being treated like a luxury.” | “I hope that there is a lesson learned from this,” said Gina Millsap, the chief executive of the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. “Broadband is like water and electricity now, and yet it’s still being treated like a luxury.” |
| One in four Americans has no high-speed internet access at home, according to the Pew Research Center, either because it’s too expensive or because the home is in a rural area with limited service. | One in four Americans has no high-speed internet access at home, according to the Pew Research Center, either because it’s too expensive or because the home is in a rural area with limited service. |
| Stocks in the United States followed global markets and oil prices higher. | Stocks in the United States followed global markets and oil prices higher. |
| The S&P 500 climbed nearly 2 percent, extending a rally that began late on Monday as shares of large technology companies rose. | The S&P 500 climbed nearly 2 percent, extending a rally that began late on Monday as shares of large technology companies rose. |
| Though unsteady at times, stocks have been climbing lately as investors see recovery efforts in the United States, as well as signs from Europe and China that the worst of the coronavirus pandemic may be over in some of the hardest-hit places. | Though unsteady at times, stocks have been climbing lately as investors see recovery efforts in the United States, as well as signs from Europe and China that the worst of the coronavirus pandemic may be over in some of the hardest-hit places. |
| Underscoring the optimism, oil prices surged in early Tuesday trading, though they remained close to historically low levels. The price of benchmark crude in the United States was up nearly 20 percent. Brent crude, the international benchmark, was up more than 10 percent. | Underscoring the optimism, oil prices surged in early Tuesday trading, though they remained close to historically low levels. The price of benchmark crude in the United States was up nearly 20 percent. Brent crude, the international benchmark, was up more than 10 percent. |
| The stock market gains — the S&P 500 is up almost 30 percent over the past six weeks — have come even as companies report discouraging financial results and warn of the economic damage being caused by the pandemic. | The stock market gains — the S&P 500 is up almost 30 percent over the past six weeks — have come even as companies report discouraging financial results and warn of the economic damage being caused by the pandemic. |
| On Tuesday, a measure of demand and employment in the services industry showed a sharp slowdown in April, to the lowest level since March 2009, as stores and restaurants were shuttered and consumers stayed home. A similar measure of manufacturing activity, released by the Institute for Supply Management last week, had also shown a collapse. | On Tuesday, a measure of demand and employment in the services industry showed a sharp slowdown in April, to the lowest level since March 2009, as stores and restaurants were shuttered and consumers stayed home. A similar measure of manufacturing activity, released by the Institute for Supply Management last week, had also shown a collapse. |
| Investors have managed to shake off such grim data, which signals that the United States economy is in an unprecedented decline, because it shows what has already happened rather than what might come as stay-at-home orders are lifted and governors gradually move to reopen their economies. | Investors have managed to shake off such grim data, which signals that the United States economy is in an unprecedented decline, because it shows what has already happened rather than what might come as stay-at-home orders are lifted and governors gradually move to reopen their economies. |
| The special inspector general that President Trump nominated to oversee the Treasury Department’s $500 billion pandemic recovery fund vowed on Tuesday to be fair and impartial in his efforts to combat misuse of the bailout money. | The special inspector general that President Trump nominated to oversee the Treasury Department’s $500 billion pandemic recovery fund vowed on Tuesday to be fair and impartial in his efforts to combat misuse of the bailout money. |
| In prepared testimony ahead of his confirmation hearing, Brian D. Miller, attempted to defuse fears that he is not independent enough for the prominent watchdog role amid concerns that his current position as a White House lawyer means he would be putting Mr. Trump’s interests ahead of those of American taxpayers. | In prepared testimony ahead of his confirmation hearing, Brian D. Miller, attempted to defuse fears that he is not independent enough for the prominent watchdog role amid concerns that his current position as a White House lawyer means he would be putting Mr. Trump’s interests ahead of those of American taxpayers. |
| Lawmakers created the inspector general role to oversee disbursement of funds that are part of the $2 trillion economic relief package that Congress passed in March. | Lawmakers created the inspector general role to oversee disbursement of funds that are part of the $2 trillion economic relief package that Congress passed in March. |
| The nomination, which requires Senate confirmation, has not been received well by Democrats, who insisted on strict oversight as a condition of passing the rescue package that Mr. Trump signed into law. | The nomination, which requires Senate confirmation, has not been received well by Democrats, who insisted on strict oversight as a condition of passing the rescue package that Mr. Trump signed into law. |
| Mr. Miller is expected to face questions about an unusual signing statement from Mr. Trump that suggested the president had the power to decide what information the inspector general could share with Congress. | Mr. Miller is expected to face questions about an unusual signing statement from Mr. Trump that suggested the president had the power to decide what information the inspector general could share with Congress. |
| “If confirmed, I will conduct every audit and investigation with fairness and impartiality,” Mr. Miller planned to tell members of the Senate Banking Committee. “I pledge to seek the truth in all matters that come before me and to use my authority and resources to uncover fraud, waste, and abuse.” | “If confirmed, I will conduct every audit and investigation with fairness and impartiality,” Mr. Miller planned to tell members of the Senate Banking Committee. “I pledge to seek the truth in all matters that come before me and to use my authority and resources to uncover fraud, waste, and abuse.” |
| Hertz, the century-old car rental company, narrowly averted an impending crisis Monday after successfully negotiating with its lenders over a missed payment on the lease for its rental fleet, according to a securities filing. The company now has less than three weeks — until May 22 — to come up with a plan to pay them back and continue to meet its ongoing financial obligations. | Hertz, the century-old car rental company, narrowly averted an impending crisis Monday after successfully negotiating with its lenders over a missed payment on the lease for its rental fleet, according to a securities filing. The company now has less than three weeks — until May 22 — to come up with a plan to pay them back and continue to meet its ongoing financial obligations. |
| The company warned last week that it had missed the payment, but had a one-week grace period ending on Monday to pay or negotiate new terms with the lenders. According to the filing on Tuesday morning, the lenders agreed not to force a sale of the vehicles in the Hertz fleet — for now. | The company warned last week that it had missed the payment, but had a one-week grace period ending on Monday to pay or negotiate new terms with the lenders. According to the filing on Tuesday morning, the lenders agreed not to force a sale of the vehicles in the Hertz fleet — for now. |
| Hertz had been preparing to file for bankruptcy as soon as Tuesday if it could not reach an agreement with the lenders, according to Bloomberg. It had even hired a bankruptcy adviser to help it prepare, The Wall Street Journal reported. | Hertz had been preparing to file for bankruptcy as soon as Tuesday if it could not reach an agreement with the lenders, according to Bloomberg. It had even hired a bankruptcy adviser to help it prepare, The Wall Street Journal reported. |
| The pandemic has had “a rapid, sudden and dramatic negative impact” on the company’s business, it said in the Tuesday filing. Hertz had begun selling some of the cars in its fleet as early as March as government restrictions and fear of the outbreak rapidly eroded its business. Last month, it laid off 10,000 workers. | The pandemic has had “a rapid, sudden and dramatic negative impact” on the company’s business, it said in the Tuesday filing. Hertz had begun selling some of the cars in its fleet as early as March as government restrictions and fear of the outbreak rapidly eroded its business. Last month, it laid off 10,000 workers. |
| Norwegian Cruise Line, one of the world’s largest cruise companies, said on Tuesday that there was “substantial doubt” about its ability to survive the coronavirus pandemic. | Norwegian Cruise Line, one of the world’s largest cruise companies, said on Tuesday that there was “substantial doubt” about its ability to survive the coronavirus pandemic. |
| Norwegian acknowledged the dire situation in a securities filing announcing that it was seeking $650 million in new financing. The global shutdown of the cruise industry has strained the finances of all three major cruise companies — Norwegian and its two main rivals, Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean — forcing them to borrow money at high interest rates. | Norwegian acknowledged the dire situation in a securities filing announcing that it was seeking $650 million in new financing. The global shutdown of the cruise industry has strained the finances of all three major cruise companies — Norwegian and its two main rivals, Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean — forcing them to borrow money at high interest rates. |
| As the coronavirus continues to spread, Norwegian said in the filing, it is “expected to continue to adversely impact our results, operations, outlook, plans, goals, growth, reputation, cash flows, liquidity, demand for voyages and share price.” | As the coronavirus continues to spread, Norwegian said in the filing, it is “expected to continue to adversely impact our results, operations, outlook, plans, goals, growth, reputation, cash flows, liquidity, demand for voyages and share price.” |
| Carnival said on Monday that it planned to begin cruising again on some of its ships as early as August. A spokeswoman for Norwegian said the company hoped to begin cruising in July. | Carnival said on Monday that it planned to begin cruising again on some of its ships as early as August. A spokeswoman for Norwegian said the company hoped to begin cruising in July. |
| A jump in flu deaths early in the 20th century may have helped to drive the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany, research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York showed, in a stark warning about how pandemics can drive societal change. | A jump in flu deaths early in the 20th century may have helped to drive the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany, research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York showed, in a stark warning about how pandemics can drive societal change. |
| “Influenza deaths of 1918 are correlated with an increase in the share of votes won by right-wing extremists,” Kristian S. Blickle, a Fed economist, wrote in the report. | “Influenza deaths of 1918 are correlated with an increase in the share of votes won by right-wing extremists,” Kristian S. Blickle, a Fed economist, wrote in the report. |
| The study has limitations: Data on the period is somewhat sporadic, so the conclusions are based on a small sample, and disentangling disease repercussions and the aftereffect of World War I are difficult. | The study has limitations: Data on the period is somewhat sporadic, so the conclusions are based on a small sample, and disentangling disease repercussions and the aftereffect of World War I are difficult. |
| But the finding holds even counting for a city’s ethnic and religious makeup, regional unemployment, past right-wing voting, and other local characteristics. | But the finding holds even counting for a city’s ethnic and religious makeup, regional unemployment, past right-wing voting, and other local characteristics. |
| “The correlation between influenza mortality and the vote share won by right-wing extremists is stronger in regions that had historically blamed minorities, particularly Jews, for medieval plagues,” Mr. Blickle wrote. He adds that “the disease may have fostered a hatred of ‘others’, as it was perceived to come from abroad.” | “The correlation between influenza mortality and the vote share won by right-wing extremists is stronger in regions that had historically blamed minorities, particularly Jews, for medieval plagues,” Mr. Blickle wrote. He adds that “the disease may have fostered a hatred of ‘others’, as it was perceived to come from abroad.” |
| Publicly traded companies have given back more than $375 million in federal stimulus loans meant to help small businesses stay afloat, according to a New York Times analysis of securities filings and public announcements. Many of the companies began returning the loans after their disclosures raised an outcry that the stimulus program was steering money to major corporations instead of smaller operations like independent retailers and restaurants. | Publicly traded companies have given back more than $375 million in federal stimulus loans meant to help small businesses stay afloat, according to a New York Times analysis of securities filings and public announcements. Many of the companies began returning the loans after their disclosures raised an outcry that the stimulus program was steering money to major corporations instead of smaller operations like independent retailers and restaurants. |
| Nine of the 10 largest known loans issued to public companies have or will be returned, the Times analysis shows. The outlier, a loan to BBQ Holdings, which owns several hospitality brands including Famous Dave’s BBQ, was first disclosed on Friday. | Nine of the 10 largest known loans issued to public companies have or will be returned, the Times analysis shows. The outlier, a loan to BBQ Holdings, which owns several hospitality brands including Famous Dave’s BBQ, was first disclosed on Friday. |
| Ashford Inc., which oversees a network of hotels and resorts including Ritz Carltons and one of the biggest beneficiaries of the program, said on Saturday that it and its subsidiaries would return $68.8 million in loans after mounting criticism from policymakers and members of the public. So far, at least 35 public and private companies have returned their loans. | Ashford Inc., which oversees a network of hotels and resorts including Ritz Carltons and one of the biggest beneficiaries of the program, said on Saturday that it and its subsidiaries would return $68.8 million in loans after mounting criticism from policymakers and members of the public. So far, at least 35 public and private companies have returned their loans. |
| Lobby groups for the European auto industry said Tuesday that governments should offer cash-for-clunkers programs and other financial incentives to restart car sales, which have plunged because of lockdowns. | Lobby groups for the European auto industry said Tuesday that governments should offer cash-for-clunkers programs and other financial incentives to restart car sales, which have plunged because of lockdowns. |
| The appeal by associations representing carmakers, dealers, parts suppliers and tire makers came as chief executives of German auto manufacturers held a conference call with Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss how to help the country’s most important industry. | The appeal by associations representing carmakers, dealers, parts suppliers and tire makers came as chief executives of German auto manufacturers held a conference call with Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss how to help the country’s most important industry. |
| Many economists argue that the incentive programs, which typically offer a bonus to people who trade in an older model, simply delay a day of reckoning for the industry and help mostly affluent people who have money for new cars. | Many economists argue that the incentive programs, which typically offer a bonus to people who trade in an older model, simply delay a day of reckoning for the industry and help mostly affluent people who have money for new cars. |
| Environmental groups are pushing for any incentives to apply only to electric cars, but the industry groups said that gasoline and diesel vehicles — which typically generate more profit — should also be eligible. | Environmental groups are pushing for any incentives to apply only to electric cars, but the industry groups said that gasoline and diesel vehicles — which typically generate more profit — should also be eligible. |
| Germany’s highest court issued a ruling on Tuesday that could disrupt a European Central Bank program that has helped to prevent the eurozone from collapsing. | Germany’s highest court issued a ruling on Tuesday that could disrupt a European Central Bank program that has helped to prevent the eurozone from collapsing. |
| In a widely anticipated decision, the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe said that the central bank had failed to show that its purchases of government bonds, which in recent years helped keep borrowing costs for countries like Spain and Italy from spinning out of control, were justified under European Union law. | In a widely anticipated decision, the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe said that the central bank had failed to show that its purchases of government bonds, which in recent years helped keep borrowing costs for countries like Spain and Italy from spinning out of control, were justified under European Union law. |
| The court said that the central bank was required to demonstrate that the side effects of the bond-buying program were not out of proportion to its purpose, which was to stimulate borrowing and raise inflation to the official target of 2 percent. Critics say that, by pushing down interest rates, the central bank has unfairly penalized retirees who earn hardly anything on their savings. | The court said that the central bank was required to demonstrate that the side effects of the bond-buying program were not out of proportion to its purpose, which was to stimulate borrowing and raise inflation to the official target of 2 percent. Critics say that, by pushing down interest rates, the central bank has unfairly penalized retirees who earn hardly anything on their savings. |
| The court gave the central bank three months to justify the bond-buying program. | The court gave the central bank three months to justify the bond-buying program. |
| Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan has pushed a homegrown drug as a potential global savior, but has glossed over a crucial fact: There is no solid evidence that it is effective against Covid-19. | Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan has pushed a homegrown drug as a potential global savior, but has glossed over a crucial fact: There is no solid evidence that it is effective against Covid-19. |
| Much like President Trump’s testimonials for hydroxychloroquine, Mr. Abe’s enthusiasm for the antiviral medicine known as Avigan comes despite limited findings that it is effective against Covid-19. And it carries dangerous potential side effects: birth defects similar to those caused by thalidomide. That drug, developed as a sedative and prescribed to pregnant women, caused deformities in thousands of babies in the 1950s and 60s. | Much like President Trump’s testimonials for hydroxychloroquine, Mr. Abe’s enthusiasm for the antiviral medicine known as Avigan comes despite limited findings that it is effective against Covid-19. And it carries dangerous potential side effects: birth defects similar to those caused by thalidomide. That drug, developed as a sedative and prescribed to pregnant women, caused deformities in thousands of babies in the 1950s and 60s. |
| But Mr. Abe has allocated nearly $130 million to triple an existing stockpile of the medication, offered to provide it free to dozens of other countries, and called for it to be approved for use against Covid-19 by the end of the month. The drug was developed by a subsidiary of Fujifilm. | But Mr. Abe has allocated nearly $130 million to triple an existing stockpile of the medication, offered to provide it free to dozens of other countries, and called for it to be approved for use against Covid-19 by the end of the month. The drug was developed by a subsidiary of Fujifilm. |
| On another front, Pfizer and the German pharmaceutical company BioNTech said that their potential coronavirus vaccine began human trials in the United States on Monday. If the tests are successful, the vaccine could be ready for emergency use as early as September. | On another front, Pfizer and the German pharmaceutical company BioNTech said that their potential coronavirus vaccine began human trials in the United States on Monday. If the tests are successful, the vaccine could be ready for emergency use as early as September. |
| Pfizer, which is based in New York, and BioNTech injected the first human volunteers with their vaccine candidate, called BNT162, in Germany last month. In the United States, the drug companies plan to test the vaccine on 360 healthy volunteers for the first stage of the study, adding up to 8,000 volunteers by the end of the second stage. | Pfizer, which is based in New York, and BioNTech injected the first human volunteers with their vaccine candidate, called BNT162, in Germany last month. In the United States, the drug companies plan to test the vaccine on 360 healthy volunteers for the first stage of the study, adding up to 8,000 volunteers by the end of the second stage. |
| The British airline Virgin Atlantic on Tuesday became the latest carrier to announce cost cuts, saying it would lay off more than 3,000 workers, retire older jumbo jets and no longer fly from London’s Gatwick Airport. Virgin said in a statement that it could take three years for the airline industry to get back to where it was before the pandemic began. | The British airline Virgin Atlantic on Tuesday became the latest carrier to announce cost cuts, saying it would lay off more than 3,000 workers, retire older jumbo jets and no longer fly from London’s Gatwick Airport. Virgin said in a statement that it could take three years for the airline industry to get back to where it was before the pandemic began. |
| Fiat Chrysler reported an adjusted net loss of 471 million euros ($510 million) for the first quarter, compared to a profit of 570 million euros a year ago, as it was forced to shut down production to curb the spread of coronavirus. The company said its plants in China and Italy had reopened, and that most plants in North America would be restarted the week of May 18. | Fiat Chrysler reported an adjusted net loss of 471 million euros ($510 million) for the first quarter, compared to a profit of 570 million euros a year ago, as it was forced to shut down production to curb the spread of coronavirus. The company said its plants in China and Italy had reopened, and that most plants in North America would be restarted the week of May 18. |
| Reporting was contributed by David Yaffe-Bellany, Niraj Chokshi, Alan Rappeport, Jack Ewing, Jeanna Smialek, Ben Dooley, Knvul Sheikh, Mohammed Hadi, Sapna Maheshwari, Ivan Penn, Matt Richtel, Carlos Tejada, Daniel Victor, Katie Robertson and Kevin Granville. | Reporting was contributed by David Yaffe-Bellany, Niraj Chokshi, Alan Rappeport, Jack Ewing, Jeanna Smialek, Ben Dooley, Knvul Sheikh, Mohammed Hadi, Sapna Maheshwari, Ivan Penn, Matt Richtel, Carlos Tejada, Daniel Victor, Katie Robertson and Kevin Granville. |