Bonds

US budget deficit totals $76.9 billion in July

The federal government recorded a $76.9 billion deficit in July, with increased government spending and tax cuts keeping the country on track to record its biggest annual deficit in six years.

Stocks end slightly lower as traders shrug off trade talk

US stocks are drifting between small gains and losses as traders shrug off the latest trade threats from President Donald Trump and focus on company earnings reports, which contained some better-than-expected results from big names including Microsoft.