BUSINESS
Soaring Vegetable and Fruit Prices in the US in 2025 Spark Concerns
Soaring Vegetable and Fruit Prices in the US in 2025 Spark Concernsmore
Thailand approves $2.7 billion data center investment
Thailand approves $2.7 billion data center investmentmore
UK Stocks Surge for 12 Consecutive Days, Led by Financial Sector, Cryptocurrency Regulation Launched
The UK stock market has witnessed an impressive rally recently. On April 29th, the FTSE 100 index rose 0.6%, achieving a 12 - day winning streak, the longest in five years. Meanwhile, the mid - cap index has climbed for five consecutive days. The financial sector, which saw a 1.9% increase, was the main driver of this upward trend. HSBC Holdings, with a 2.6% gain, led the blue - chips. It benefited from its better - than - expected Q1 profits and a $3 - billion share - buyback plan.more
Australian Stocks Surge 0.92% to Top 8000, with Uranium Shares Leading the Way
On April 29, the S&P/ASX 200 index in Australia witnessed a significant upswing. It climbed 73.5 points, or 0.92%, to close at 8070.6 points, hitting a new eight - week high. The market sentiment received a boost from the 利好 news of the United States reducing tariffs on auto parts.more
On April 29, it was learned that the Japanese government is planning to expand the "Special Treatment System for Imported Automobiles (PHP)". The annual exemption quota for each vehicle model will be increased from 5,000 units. This move is aimed at defusing the US accusation of "non - tariff barriers" against Japan. It is intended to provide bargaining chips for the second round of US - Japan trade negotiations that will kick off on the 30th.more
The US economic landscape showed several notable trends in recent data releases. In March, the US merchandise trade deficit ballooned to $162 billion, a 9.6% increase from the previous month and a new all - time high, well above the expected $142 billion. This was mainly driven by businesses "rushing to import" ahead of tariff implementations, which pushed the total import value to $342.7 billion, a 5% year - on - year increase. Consumer goods imports hit a record high, and imports of autos and capital goods also rose significantly.more
New Zealand's Housing Loan Risks Accumulate Despite Interest Rate Cuts
Despite the Reserve Bank of New Zealand initiating an interest - rate - cutting cycle in August 2024 and the continuous decline in mortgage rates, risks in the housing loan sector are steadily mounting. As of March 2025, the total amount of non - performing housing loans reached NZ$2.412 billion, an increase of NZ$249 million (11.5%) from the beginning of the year.more
UK Economy Shows Mixed Signals: Ebbing Housing Policy and Pressured Manufacturing
The UK economy is displaying divergent signals, with the housing market and manufacturing sector showing contrasting trends. In March, mortgage lending in the UK increased by £12.963 billion, reaching a new high since June 2021. This was driven by homebuyers rushing to take advantage of the first - time buyer tax - break before it ended on April 1st. However, the housing market cooled rapidly after the policy ended.more
London Housing Crisis Worsens: Double Blow of Homelessness and Construction Dilemma
London is facing a worsening housing crisis. In the first quarter of 2025, the number of rough sleepers reached 4,427, an 8% year - on - year increase, hitting a new record high. The government spends £4 million daily to accommodate 183,000 homeless people, including 90,000 children.more
Canadian Stocks Retreat Slightly Amid Oil Price Decline and Service Sector Woes
On May 5, the Canadian stock market experienced a slight pullback. The S&P/TSX composite index on the Toronto Stock Exchange dropped 27.99 points, or approximately 0.3%, closing at 24,953.52, bringing an end to the previous day's upward trend.more
UK Family Income Disparities Worsen
The latest data from the UK's Office for National Statistics on May 2nd shows that, after inflation adjustment, the median disposable income of UK households remained at £36,700 for the fiscal year 2024 (from April 2023 to March 2024), returning to the pre - pandemic level. However, the wealth gap continues to widen. The median income of the poorest one - fifth of households decreased by 2.6% to £16,800, 4.9% lower than before the pandemic.more
Canada's economic momentum slowed significantly in April. The Ivey Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) plummeted from 51.3 in March to 47.9, falling below the boom - bust line for the first time since January. The employment sub - index has contracted for two consecutive months (48.0), and the cost pressure on enterprises has eased slightly (price - payment index 70.0). Meanwhile, the housing market in Toronto is also cooling down.more