Korea Zinc to Build $7.4 Billion Critical Minerals Refinery in Tennessee With U.S. Government Backing 
New Zealand Budget Outlook Shows Prolonged Deficits Despite Economic Recovery Hopes 
Japan Exports to U.S. Rebound in November as Tariff Impact Eases, Boosting BOJ Rate Hike Expectations 
Asian Technology and Chipmaking Stocks Slide as AI Spending Concerns Shake Markets 
Oil Prices Rebound as Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Venezuelan Tankers 
Oil Prices Slip in Asia as 2026 Supply Glut Fears and Russia-Ukraine Talks Weigh on Markets 
Trump Orders Blockade of Sanctioned Oil Tankers, Raising Venezuela Tensions and Oil Prices 
Asian Stocks Slide as AI Valuation Fears and BOJ Uncertainty Weigh on Markets 
Australian Consumer Sentiment Slumps in Early December as Inflation Fears Resurface 
Bank of Korea Downplays Liquidity’s Role in Weak Won and Housing Price Surge 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
U.S. Dollar Slips Near Two-Month Low as Markets Await Key Jobs Data and Central Bank Decisions 
Asian Fund Managers Turn More Optimistic on Growth but Curb Equity Return Expectations: BofA Survey 
Silver Prices Hit Record High as Safe-Haven Demand Surges Amid U.S. Economic Uncertainty 
China’s November Economic Data Signals Slowing Industrial Output and Weak Consumer Demand 
South Korea Warns Weak Won Could Push Inflation Higher in 2025 
In November 2024, China's industrial production grew by 5.4% compared to last year's. This was in line with what experts expected and a slight increase from the 5.3% growth in October. This rise is largely due to government efforts to help businesses, especially in the manufacturing and industrial sectors.
However, other economic signs tell a different story. Retail sales only increased by 3.0% year-on-year, much lower than the expected 4.6% increase and down from 4.8% in October. This suggests that people are not spending as much money as hoped.
Fixed asset investment, which includes things like buildings and machinery, went up by 3.3% for the year to date, but that was just below the expected 3.4% growth.
Overall, while industrial production is doing well, the lower retail sales point to problems with consumer demand and confidence in the Chinese economy.
