South Korea Stocks Tumble as AI-Fueled Rally Faces Profit-Taking Pressure 
Gold Price Rises as Investors Weigh U.S.-Iran Talks and Fed Policy Outlook 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
China’s AI Manufacturing Boom Masks Weak Consumer Economy, Citi Says 
Dollar Holds Firm as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Tensions, GBP/USD Slips Amid UK Political Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Truce Uncertainty and Middle East Tensions Keep Markets on Edge 
France Faces Long Road to Economic Rebalancing as Weak Demand and High Rates Weigh, Says Citi 
Yen Near 40-Year Low as USD/JPY Approaches Key 162 Level, Raising Intervention Concerns 
Gold Prices Mixed as Stronger Dollar Offsets Safe-Haven Demand Amid U.S.-Iran Peace Talks 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
Russian Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Alphabet Slumps, Middle East Developments and Fed Outlook Weigh on Markets 
Japan Manufacturing Growth Accelerates in June as Orders Surge Despite Iran War Cost Pressures 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Singapore Inflation Stays Muted in May as Core CPI Misses Forecasts Ahead of MAS Review 
The Chinese economy had fared even better than its forecast of 5.0% at the same quarter last year with the report of an annualized increase of 5.4% in the fourth quarter of 2024. The increase came in contrast with previous quarters where declines were reported; it reported an annualized rise of 4.6% in the third quarter, 4.7% in the second quarter, and 5.3% in the first quarter.
The whole year of 2024 experienced a GDP growth rate of 5.0% in China. This overall growth was due to various support measures introduced by the government throughout the year.
Retail sales during December 2024 were up by 3.7% against December 2023, and this was ahead of the forecast increase of 3.5%. Industrial production is 6.2% up year to year, versus the forecast growth rate of 5.4%. This, therefore is an indication domestic production continues to be buoyant despite weakness in demand.
The Chinese government has been working hard to boost the economy through policies to improve the real estate market and encourage consumer spending. These efforts come amid challenges like deflation and lower business confidence.
Economists currently expect China's GDP growth target in 2025 to stand at about 5%. Others, however, estimate it at between 3% and 4.5% simply because that mainly depends on the effectiveness of how the policies will be implemented as well as the development of the external economic forces.
In general, the data are cautiously positive, showing that the economy will overcome various challenges, both internally and externally, as it tends towards sustainable growth.
