IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Gold Prices Steady as Markets Await Key U.S. Data and Expected Fed Rate Cut 
Asian Markets Stabilize as Wall Street Rebounds and Rate Concerns Ease 
Citi Sets Bullish 2026 Target for STOXX 600 as Fiscal Support and Monetary Easing Boost Outlook 
China’s Services Sector Posts Slowest Growth in Five Months as Demand Softens 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
European Oil & Gas Stocks Face 2026 With Cautious Outlook Amid Valuation Pressure 
Japan’s Nikkei Drops as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Markets Await Fed Rate Decision; Indian Rupee Hits New Record Low 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asian Currencies Steady as Rupee Hits Record Low Amid Fed Rate Cut Bets 
China Urged to Prioritize Economy Over Territorial Ambitions, Says Taiwan’s President Lai 
Europe Confronts Rising Competitive Pressure as China Accelerates Export-Led Growth 
U.S. Futures Steady as Rate-Cut Bets Rise on Soft Labor Data 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
The United States April retail sales is expected to surge by around 8 pct m/m on an anticipated rise in monthly auto sales and pump prices, rising by around 7 pct on an average. However, retail sales growth has been a matter of concern in the recent past, with control group sales rising 2.8 pct on year.
The retail sector seems to be growing on sales in the internet sector and home building materials. The former continues to rise at an average trend pace of 6-7 pct on year.
"Meanwhile, low mortgage rates – current 15Y fixed rates are 2.70%, essentially their lowest since WWII – have lit a fire under the housing market and sales growth in home building materials has shot up to 12% YoY. Not much is sizzling in the US economy but housing probably counts as an important exception," DBS said in a research piece.
