Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 has surged to a record close of 40,913.65, while most other major world markets also advanced. Shares fell in Shanghai and U.S. futures edged higher. Oil prices fell. On Wednesday, U.S. stocks kept rising in a holiday-shortened session after weak reports on the economy kept the door open for possible cuts to interest rates. U.S. markets are closed Thursday for Independence Day. On Wednesday, the S&P 500 rose 0.5% and set an all-time high for the 33rd time this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.9% to push its own record higher.
