UK Grocery Inflation Slows to 3.1% as Supermarket Price Pressures Ease in May 2026 
ECB’s Philip Lane Warns Middle East Conflict Could Keep Inflation Elevated 
New World Screwworm Found Near U.S. Border Raises Threat to Cattle Industry and Beef Prices 
European EV Sales Surge in April 2026 as Tesla and Chinese Automakers Gain Ground 
US Launches New Trade Investigation Into Vietnam Over Intellectual Property Concerns 
Canada and Germany Advance Major LNG Supply Partnership 
S&P 500 Hits Record High as Tech Rally Slows Amid Iran Peace Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Set for Sharp Weekly Losses as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Hopes Ease Supply Concerns 
Dollar Gains Slightly as U.S.-Iran Tensions Keep Forex Markets on Edge 
S&P 500, Nasdaq Hit Record Highs as Iran Ceasefire Talks and AI Rally Boost Markets 
Asian Currencies Steady as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Extension Hopes Weigh on Dollar 
Nikkei Hits Record High as AI Chip Stocks Power Japan Market Rally 
South Korea Central Bank Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Inflation Concerns 
Gold Prices Slip as Stronger Dollar and Iran Peace Talk Uncertainty Weigh on Market 
U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iran as Trump Signals Peace Deal Uncertainty 
Oil Prices Jump After New U.S. Strikes on Iran Raise Supply Concerns 
US Dollar Slips as Markets Weigh Potential US-Iran Peace Deal and Oil Price Outlook 
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.
