What's going on?

A string of positive news on Tuesday indicated the global economy might be regaining its footing � and emboldened investors decided it was about time the stock market climbed to multi-week highs too.

What does this mean?

In the latest signs that the easing of lockdown is boosting economic activity, consumer confidence in the US � a precursor to consumer spending � rose after a sharp plunge the previous month, while new home sales beat expectations. And since consumer spending makes up two-thirds of the US economy, economists are looking at that uplift as an encouraging turn of events.

German consumers are getting more swagger in their step as well, according to a similar survey out on Tuesday. But the country�s big news was the announcement that Germans would be allowed to travel across Europe from mid-June, just in time for summer vacation. That comes days after Spain�s own announcement that international tourism will be kicking off again in July � so maybe summer isn�t canceled after all�

Why should I care?

For markets: All together now.
The bounce in economic optimism sent US stocks to a nine-week high, while the rise in German travel companies� share prices carried its stock market higher too. And it turns out a can-do attitude is as contagious as a can�t-do pandemic: UK retail stocks soared after the government announced it�d allow non-essential retailers to reopen in mid-June, while Asian stock markets rose as Japan � the continent�s second-largest economy � lifted its nationwide state of emergency.

The bigger picture: There�s music in the air.
Even initial public offerings (IPOs) are back in business: Warner Music Group restarted its IPO plans on Tuesday with the aim of raising up to $1.8 billion. The music label � whose artists include Ed Sheeran and Red Hot Chili Peppers � initially wanted to list on the stock market in February, but it shelved that plan after coronavirus-hassled stock markets hit a bum note.