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 
Canada, British Columbia Launch $5 Billion Infrastructure Partnership to Boost Housing, Transit, and Healthcare 
US Dollar Hits One-Year High as Hawkish Fed Outlook Overshadows Middle East Developments 
Italy’s Economy Outpaces Eurozone Peers as Investment Spending Fuels Growth 
Canada Imposes 10% Tariff on Canned Vegetable Imports to Protect Domestic Industry 
U.S.-Iran Diplomacy Helps Drive Gasoline Prices Down 15% From May Highs 
Russia Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low; Gold Falls and Oil Mixed 
New Zealand Fast-Tracks Gold Mining as Industry Revival Gains Momentum 
Yen Near 40-Year Low as USD/JPY Approaches Key 162 Level, Raising Intervention Concerns 
US Stock Futures Slip After Wall Street Rally Fueled by US-Iran Deal and Chipmaker Surge 
China Keeps Loan Prime Rates Unchanged for 13th Straight Month as Policymakers Prioritize Credit Demand Recovery 
Russian Stocks End Flat as MOEX Index Hits New 52-Week Low 
100+ Global Companies Push Governments to Prioritize Electrification for Economic Growth 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Alphabet Slumps, Middle East Developments and Fed Outlook Weigh on Markets 
Trump Says No Hormuz Strait Tolls During 60-Day Iran Ceasefire 
Asian Stocks Surge as Oil Prices Fall and Strong US Dollar Weighs on Markets 
Japan’s service sector expanded at its fastest pace in six months in February, driven by strong sales and surging export demand, particularly from Taiwan and Vietnam, according to an S&P Global Market Intelligence survey.
The au Jibun Bank Japan Services Business Activity Index climbed to 53.7 in February, up from 53.0 in January, surpassing the initial estimate of 53.1. This marked the fourth consecutive month of expansion, staying above the 50.0 threshold that separates growth from contraction.
Economist Usamah Bhatti noted continued improvement in the sector, with new business growth persisting despite a slight slowdown. However, optimism weakened due to labor shortages.
Japan’s service industry remains a key driver of economic growth, offsetting the ongoing weakness in manufacturing caused by sluggish global demand. The composite PMI, covering both manufacturing and services, rose to 52.0 in February from 51.1 in January.
Cost pressures eased slightly but remained high, with inflation in labor, fuel, and raw materials affecting businesses. While price increases slowed to a four-month low, concerns over U.S. trade policies and workforce shortages dampened future confidence, marking the slowest optimism since January 2021.
Despite challenges, the service sector’s resilience continues to support Japan’s economy, maintaining solid momentum amid global uncertainties.
