Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Dollar Slides to Five-Week Low as Asian Stocks Struggle and Markets Bet on Fed Rate Cut 
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BOJ Governor Ueda Highlights Uncertainty Over Future Interest Rate Hikes 
Oil Prices Rise as Ukraine Targets Russian Energy Infrastructure 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
Dollar Weakens Ahead of Expected Federal Reserve Rate Cut 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
Australia’s Economic Growth Slows in Q3 Despite Strong Investment Activity 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Spain’s Industrial Output Records Steady Growth in October Amid Revised September Figures 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Youth Unemployment Rate Declines
In September, China's jobless rate for 16-to-24-year-olds, excluding students, decreased to 17.6%, down from 18.8% in August. This data, released by official sources on Tuesday, brings a sigh of relief to authorities after youth unemployment had soared to alarming levels for two consecutive months.
Rising Unemployment Among Young Graduates
The youth unemployment rate surged from 13.2% in June to 17.1% in July, coinciding with the influx of approximately 12 million new graduates entering the labor market. The following month, the rate peaked again, marking the highest level recorded since the National Bureau of Statistics revised its methodology in December 2023 to exclude students from the statistics.
The highest youth unemployment rate, recorded at 21.3% in June of the previous year, prompted the Chinese government to suspend publication of this critical benchmark until the methodological adjustments were implemented.
Economic Outlook and Hiring Trends
Despite the slight improvement in youth unemployment, officials remain cautious. A recent report highlighted that factory owners' confidence in September indicated continued hesitancy to hire, with the last positive employment report for producers dating back to February 2023. For individuals aged 25 to 29, the jobless rate stood at 6.7%, while those aged 30 to 59 reported a rate of 3.9%, both figures excluding college students.
