Overview

• Barron's provides live coverage of financial markets including stocks, bonds, oil, and crypto.
• China's consumer price index dropped 0.3% in July, the first negative reading since 2021, signaling a faltering economy.
• Market skeptics are starting to give up even as risks increase, so investors should consider hedging strategies.
• Oil stocks have underperformed crude prices despite the recent rally, a negative indicator for shares.
• Diminished volatility in Bitcoin has led to questions about the potential end of major gains in the crypto market.