Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
Fed Governor Lisa Cook Warns Inflation Risks Remain as Rates Stay Steady 
U.S. Stock Futures Slide as Tech Rout Deepens on Amazon Capex Shock 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
ANZ analysts have upgraded their 2025 GDP growth forecast for China to 4.8% from 4.3%, citing robust industrial production and new policy measures aimed at boosting consumption and market confidence. The bank also raised its 2026 growth outlook to 4.5% from 4.0%.
China’s economy showed strong momentum in early 2025, with industrial production surging 5.9% year-on-year. Retail sales and fixed asset investment also exceeded last year’s averages, reinforcing positive economic trends.
However, challenges persist in the services sector, with urban unemployment rising to 5.4% in February from 5.1% in December. ANZ expects the government to focus on job creation, particularly in the private sector, to address employment concerns.
China’s latest 300 billion yuan trade-in program is expected to stimulate up to 1 trillion yuan in retail sales, supporting domestic consumption. The property sector also showed signs of recovery, with new home sales increasing during the Lunar New Year, although overall investment remains subdued.
ANZ projects China’s economic growth to stay above 5% in the first half of 2025 but warns of potential risks from U.S. tariffs and weakening global demand.
The outlook highlights China’s resilience despite global uncertainties, with industrial expansion and policy-driven stimulus playing key roles in sustaining growth.
