* House could vote on debt ceiling next week, says House Speaker McCarthy
* If the US defaults, it would be ugly. Here’s how it would unfold
* Two-thirds of North America could face blackouts in next few months
* Walmart Q1 sales beat expectations as firm lifts full-year outlook
* US Treasury yields rebound on upbeat economic, inflation outlook
* US jobless claims fell last week as bogus data muddle recent trend
* Philly Fed Mfg Index continues to indicate contraction for sector in May
* Existing home sales in US ease for a second month in April
* US Leading Economic Index for April continues to forecast high recession risk:

US stock market (S&P 500) closed above previous high on Thursday, rising to 9-month high: