China’s Industrial Output and Retail Sales Surge, Boosting Recovery Hopes
China’s economic outlook shows improvement as industrial output and retail sales beat expectations in October. Industrial output accelerated to 4.6%, the highest since April, surpassing the forecasted 4.4%. Retail sales, a key consumption indicator, rose by 7.6%, outperforming predictions and marking the fastest growth since May. Despite these positive signals, analysts remain cautious, citing challenges in the property sector and the need for major reforms. The government’s efforts to stimulate the economy, including potential reserve requirement ratio cuts, indicate a proactive approach to sustaining growth amid persistent uncertainties.
Analysis: As Ukraine war drags on, Europe’s economy succumbs to crisis
A post-pandemic spending euphoria, supported by copious government spending was set to drive the economy and help fatigued households regain a sense of normality after two dreadful years.
Morning Bid: A break in the storm clouds
Markets breathed a sigh of relief after the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken agreed to a meeting with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, raising hopes of a diplomatic solution to the standoff over Ukraine.
Japan’s retail sales extend gains but COVID-19 challenges persist
Japan’s retail sales rose for a fifth straight month in July, beating expectations as the consumer sector continued its recovery, although a coronavirus resurgence has cast doubts over the spending outlook.
Wall Street slumps after weak retail sales, Home Depot results
Wall Street’s main indexes slid on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 logging its biggest one-day percentage fall in about a month, weighed down by a drop in U.S. retail sales that raised concerns about the economic recovery, as well as by disappointing results from Home Depot (HD.N).
Safe-haven currencies supported on signs on weakening economic sentiment
Safe-haven currencies such as the yen held firm against riskier currencies on Tuesday as disappointing economic data from China, the spreading Delta variant of the coronavirus and political tension in Afghanistan weighed on risk appetite.
Dollar languishes near one-week low after consumer sentiment blow
The dollar held near a one-week low versus major peers on Monday, after slumping the most in almost seven weeks on Friday as diving U.S. consumer confidence hurt bets for an early tightening of Federal Reserve policy.
June slump in Australia’s retail sales clouds Q3 growth outlook
Australian retail sales slumped in June as coronavirus lockdowns and mobility restrictions in much of the country hit demand, casting a shadow over the outlook for growth in the third quarter as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
U.S. retail sales unexpectedly rebound in boost to economic growth
WASHINGTON, July 16 (Reuters) – U.S. retail sales unexpectedly increased in June as demand for goods remained strong even as spending is shifting back to services, bolstering expectations that economic growth accelerated in the second quarter. The rebound in sales reported by the Commerce Department on Friday was despite purchases of motor vehicles declining again […]
Analysis: U.S. companies spend billions on stay-at-home tech, boding ill for office properties
As the U.S. economy reopens, ramped-up corporate spending on video systems and plans to increase shared workspace suggests hybrid work is here to stay, potentially weighing on commercial property prices in New York, San Francisco and other major cities.
