The U.S. stock market has run up magnificently in the last six months. The U.S. economy has begun to recover, but its performance has fallen short of expectations.

Every country needs a few basic ingredients in order to achieve healthy, sustained economic growth.

Japan Election Rout Shakes Shares; Shanghai Composite Falls Nearly 7%; Walt Disney Adding Marvel to its Roster; Baker Hughes Buys Rival BJ Services; PetroChina Gaining Athabasca Tar Sand Control; Petrobras Wants 30% Stake in Brazil Reserve Wells; India’s Economy Grows 6.1%; JPMorgan: China-Taiwan Interested in Mutual Opportunities; Funds Dumping U.S. Consumer Stocks

With large purchases of iron ore, copper and oil, China has been taking full advantage of depressed commodities prices and excess production capacity. Now, the Red Dragon is making its presence felt in the natural gas market – landing two blockbuster deals in the past two weeks.

In the energy market on Monday, crude for July delivery continued its relentless climb, closing at $68.58/barrel, up $2.27. July reformulated gasoline rose 2.9 cents, to $1.9243/gallon.

In a move that underscores the potential of China’s auto market – as well as the viability of so-called “green” technology – investing guru Warren Buffett’s MidAmerican Energy Holding Co. will pay roughly $230 million for a 10% stake in BYD Co. Ltd., a Chinese producer of both cars and specialized batteries.

U.S. Bankruptcy Filings Soar; Japan’s Bankruptcy Jitters; Boeing Backs Down in Face of Strike; Quicksilver’s Ski Sale; Gustav Pushes Crude Higher; TiVo Swings to Profit; PetroChina Hurt by Subsidies; BP Ending Russian Venture

WTO’s Global Trade Deal; Ford’s Lowered Expectations; Surprise Decline in Jobless Claims; Oil Drags on Hang Seng; Wider Loss for B&N; Big Oil Spends $1.3 Million in 1Q Lobbying; Bill Miller Joins Ichan in Pressuring Yahoo; IEA to Probe World’s Oil Supply; Medtronic Coughs Up $75 Million to Settle Suit.

Money Morning Investment Director Keith Fitz-Gerald – one of the first global financial gurus to predict triple-digit oil prices – has boosted his target price for crude oil from $187 to $225.

The People’s Republic of China: When Asia expert Keith Fitz-Gerald first returned to this country a week ago, he was overwhelmed by a single impression.