South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Bank of Japan Signals Readiness for Near-Term Rate Hike as Inflation Nears Target 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Asian Stocks Slip as Tech Rout Deepens, Japan Steadies Ahead of Election 
Russian Stocks End Mixed as MOEX Index Closes Flat Amid Commodity Strength 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Japanese Pharmaceutical Stocks Slide as TrumpRx.gov Launch Sparks Market Concerns 
South Africa Eyes ECB Repo Lines as Inflation Eases and Rate Cuts Loom 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
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.
