Recent economic figures coming out of China have raised concerns among analysts and policymakers alike. The data indicates a further slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy, with various sectors showing signs of weakness. New home prices have fallen drastically, industrial output has slowed down, and export and investment growth have dipped. The rise in unemployment
Property
One of the top stock picks recommended by Wall Street analysts is Google parent Alphabet (GOOGL). This tech giant recently reported its second-quarter results, revealing the strength in its Search and Cloud businesses. However, the growth in YouTube advertising revenue slowed down in the quarter and missed analysts’ expectations. Despite this, BMO Capital analyst Brian
In a season marked by restrained consumer spending, one company in particular – Chinese toy company, Pop Mart – has stood out with impressive double-digit growth figures in the first half of the year. Providing a refreshing perspective in an otherwise gloomy economic climate, Pop Mart recently announced that it anticipates a revenue increase of
In an unprecedented move, a Chinese property developer in Nanjing is returning the deposits paid by homebuyers for apartments in a project that could not be completed. The initiative, coordinated by local authorities, marks the first of its kind in China and has the potential to set a precedent for other cities and developers facing
In response to the surprise lowering of lending benchmarks to boost economic growth, five major state-owned Chinese banks have taken the initiative to cut deposit rates. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), Agricultural Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Bank of China, and Bank of Communications have all announced varying reductions in their deposit
China’s surprise decision to lower key short-term policy rates and benchmark lending rates came as a shock to markets around the world. The move signals the country’s determination to counter the economic challenges it currently faces, including weaker-than-expected economic data, looming deflation, a property crisis, rising debt, and subdued consumer and business sentiment. The recent
Michelle Mack, the ringleader of a nationwide organized retail crime operation that targeted major retailers such as Ulta Beauty and Sephora, has been sentenced to more than five years in a California state prison. Alongside her husband, Kenneth, she orchestrated a sophisticated operation from their mansion in Bonsall, California, overseeing a network of individuals who
Chinese consumer spending seems to be at a standstill, despite the numerous attempts by the government to encourage citizens to spend. With household deposits slowing down and banks reducing interest rates, one would expect an increase in consumer spending. However, data suggests otherwise. Chinese households saw a decrease in the amount of money deposited in
China’s new yuan loans are expected to more than double in June compared to May, as per a Reuters poll. Chinese banks are predicted to have issued 2.25 trillion yuan in new loans last month, up from 950 billion yuan in May. This surge is attributed to the central bank’s continuous policy support for the
China’s manufacturing activity experienced a decline for the second consecutive month in June, according to an official survey. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that the purchasing managers’ index (PMI) stood at 49.5 in June, unchanged from the previous month. This figure remains below the critical 50-mark, indicating a contraction in the manufacturing sector.
The recent lawsuit filed by the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) against OpenAI and Microsoft highlights a growing concern within the news industry regarding copyright infringement. This lawsuit follows similar legal action taken by other publications, including The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and the New York Daily News. The CIR accuses OpenAI of using
The housing market is currently facing a challenging situation with previously owned home sales hitting a 30-year low. In May, existing home sales remained stagnant, falling by 0.7% from April, resulting in a seasonally adjusted, annualized rate of 4.11 million units. This decline represents a 2.8% drop compared to the same period last year. The
Japan’s recent data on exports in May reveals a concerning trend – while the weak yen has contributed to a significant increase in the value of exports, the volume of sales has been decreasing for the fourth straight month. This paints a picture of global demand that is still relatively soft, posing challenges for the
The euro has been facing pressure due to political instability in Europe, particularly in France where far-right and leftist parties are gaining momentum. This has raised concerns about a potential budget crisis in the eurozone. In response to this, investors have been closely watching the situation, leading to a decline in the value of the