Economic News
Trump Tariffs Jolt Australian Stocks; Gold Mining Sector Leads Declines
Australia’s stock market fell across the board on July 9, with the S&P/ASX 200 dropping 0.61% to 8,538.6 points. Markets reeled after Trump announced plans to impose 50% tariffs on imported copper (effective as early as late July) and 200% on pharmaceuticals, triggering a 13.1% daily surge in copper prices—their biggest jump since 1989.
Canada's S&P/TSX Rises 0.35% as Real Estate Leads, Tariff Impact Muted
Canada’s S&P/TSX Composite Index ended a two-day slide, edging up 0.35% to 26,998.66 on July 9, with real estate stocks leading gains. Markets reacted divergently to Trump’s 50% copper tariff plan (effective as early as late July) and extended trade talks to August 1: the real estate index (.GSPTTRE) rose 0.5% on H&R REIT’s (HR_u.TO) 4.7% surge amid Blackstone acquisition talks.
Japan's Corporate Bankruptcies Hit 11-Year Half-Year High, Pressures Mount
Japan saw 4,990 corporate bankruptcies in H1 2025, up 1.19% year-on-year and the highest H1 tally since 2014. Small businesses bore the brunt: 172 firms collapsed directly due to labor shortages—a record—with 89.8% of failed companies employing fewer than 10 people. They faced a vicious cycle: forced to raise wages but unable to absorb costs, widening the "pay gap" with large corporations.
Nvidia’s Soaring Success: AI - Driven Dominance Faces Regulatory and Competitive Headwinds
Fueled by the explosive growth of AI computing demand, Nvidia witnessed a staggering 200% surge in its market value in 2023, becoming the first chipmaker to join the prestigious trillion - dollar club. The company’s GPUs command a dominant 90% share of the AI data center market, while its CUDA software ecosystem has created an almost insurmountable barrier for competitors.
UK Stocks Trade Sideways; Energy Sector Under Pressure
London’s stock markets saw mixed trading on July 7, with the FTSE 100 flat and the FTSE 250 mid-cap index edging up 0.2%, as focus remained on the U.S. delaying tariff implementation to August 1 and progress in trade talks.
RBNZ Likely to Pause Rate Cuts This Week; Economic Outlook Faces Pressures
New Zealand’s Reserve Bank (RBNZ) is expected to keep the Official Cash Rate (OCR) unchanged at 3.25% on July 10, pausing its streak of six consecutive rate cuts since August 2024. Market expectations for a cut this week stand at just 15%, though most forecasts anticipate 25–50 basis points of easing by November. ANZ Bank holds a differing view, assigning a 40% probability of a cut and projecting cumulative 75 basis points of reductions by February 2025, bringing the OCR to 2.5%.
Thailand approves $2.7 billion data center investment
Thailand approves $2.7 billion data center investment
UK Stocks Surge for 12 Consecutive Days, Led by Financial Sector, Cryptocurrency Regulation Launched
The UK stock market has witnessed an impressive rally recently. On April 29th, the FTSE 100 index rose 0.6%, achieving a 12 - day winning streak, the longest in five years. Meanwhile, the mid - cap index has climbed for five consecutive days. The financial sector, which saw a 1.9% increase, was the main driver of this upward trend. HSBC Holdings, with a 2.6% gain, led the blue - chips. It benefited from its better - than - expected Q1 profits and a $3 - billion share - buyback plan.
Japan Considers Easing Import Car Reviews in Bid for Tariff Exemption as US-Japan Tariff Tussle Escalates
On April 29, it was learned that the Japanese government is planning to expand the "Special Treatment System for Imported Automobiles (PHP)". The annual exemption quota for each vehicle model will be increased from 5,000 units. This move is aimed at defusing the US accusation of "non - tariff barriers" against Japan. It is intended to provide bargaining chips for the second round of US - Japan trade negotiations that will kick off on the 30th.
New Zealand's Housing Loan Risks Accumulate Despite Interest Rate Cuts
Despite the Reserve Bank of New Zealand initiating an interest - rate - cutting cycle in August 2024 and the continuous decline in mortgage rates, risks in the housing loan sector are steadily mounting. As of March 2025, the total amount of non - performing housing loans reached NZ$2.412 billion, an increase of NZ$249 million (11.5%) from the beginning of the year.
FTSE 100 Index Records 13 - day Winning Streak, but Macroeconomic Signals are Mixed
The FTSE 100 index has witnessed a remarkable 13 - day consecutive gain, reaching a seven - year high. On May 2nd, it edged up 0.02% to 8,229.97. However, individual stocks showed a significant divergence. Rolls - Royce saw a 1.7% increase after confirming that tariff - relief measures would safeguard its annual targets.
S&P/ASX 200 Index Rises on Trade Talks Hope
The S&P/ASX 200 index closed 92.4 points higher, or 1.13%, on Friday. Expectations of a possible easing of the China - US trade impasse drove the index to its best weekly performance in nearly two years and to a two - month high. The statement by the Ministry of Commerce that it is "evaluating" the request from US trade officials to launch trade negotiations further boosted investor confidence.
Canada's Housing Demand Suppressed by Economic Recession Fears
Canada's housing market is facing a significant downturn as economic recession concerns weigh on potential homebuyers. A recent BMO survey reveals that 73% of would - be purchasers are adopting a wait - and - see attitude due to fears of an economic slump, a 13 - percentage - point increase compared to March.
Canadian Stocks Retreat Slightly Amid Oil Price Decline and Service Sector Woes
On May 5, the Canadian stock market experienced a slight pullback. The S&P/TSX composite index on the Toronto Stock Exchange dropped 27.99 points, or approximately 0.3%, closing at 24,953.52, bringing an end to the previous day's upward trend.
UK Markets Await Central Bank Decisions Amid Holiday Lull
On May 5, the UK stock market was closed due to a holiday. On Monday, the pound rose against the weakening US dollar. With the UK public holiday causing a lull in market news, all eyes are on the upcoming Bank of England's monetary policy decision later this week. There are no major domestic events before Thursday's Bank of England meeting.
NZ's S&P/NZX 50 Index Rises to Near Two - Month High
On Monday, the S&P/NZX 50 benchmark index in New Zealand climbed 0.8% to 12,421 points, achieving a three - day winning streak and closing at a near two - month high. Driven by the strong performance of transportation - related stocks, this sector benefited from the alleviation of concerns about global supply chain disruptions against the backdrop of the easing of Sino - US trade relations.
Replacing SWIFT? the new BRICS payment system is here!
Replacing SWIFT? 159 countries have responded! The new payment system of the BRICS countries is on its way!
Is the overseas economy about to have a 'hard landing'?
Is the overseas economy about to have a 'hard landing'?