Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Second Week as Tariff Threats and Iran Tensions Shake Markets 
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Trump to Announce New Federal Reserve Chair Pick as Powell Replacement Looms 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
Asian Currencies Trade Flat as Dollar Retreats After Fed Decision 
Indonesian Stocks Plunge as MSCI Downgrade Risk Sparks Investor Exodus 
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Asia Stocks Pause as Tech Earnings, Fed Signals, and Dollar Weakness Drive Markets 
Copper Prices Hit Record Highs as Metals Rally Gains Momentum on Geopolitical Tensions 
China Factory Activity Slips in January as Weak Demand Weighs on Growth Outlook 
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.
