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China Expands Local Bond Funding to Boost Non-Real Estate Growth

China is broadening the use of special bond funding by local governments to stimulate economic growth beyond the struggling property market, reports Nikkei Asia. The State Council, China's cabinet, announced on Wednesday that proceeds from special bond issues can now be used for a wider range of projects,

China Housing Slump Deepens as Rents Hit 4-Year Low Amidst Oversupply

China's housing market continues to struggle, with average rents across 100 major cities plummeting to a four-year low in November, as reported by Nikkei Asia. This trend, driven by oversupply and a weak job market, threatens to further exacerbate the country's prolonged property slump. Research firm

China's Economic Growth to Decelerate in 2025, Says Economists

Economists predict that China's GDP growth will decelerate to 4.4% in 2025, according to a survey conducted by Nikkei Asia. The forecast reflects downward revisions from September, citing uncertainty stemming from US President-elect Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs and ongoing turmoil in China's

China Holds Interest Rates Steady, Drains Record Liquidity Amidst US Trade Uncertainty

China's central bank, the People's Bank of China (PBOC), has refrained from cutting interest rates and drained a record amount of cash from the financial system, signaling a cautious approach as the country navigates rising trade tensions with the US. The PBOC maintained the interest rate

Japan Service Inflation Heats Up, Strengthening Case for BOJ Rate Hike

Service sector inflation in Japan accelerated for the second consecutive month, reaching 3.0% in November, as reported by Reuters. This data, released Wednesday by the Bank of Japan (BOJ), supports the central bank's assessment that rising wages are prompting companies to pass on higher costs to consumers.

China to Continue Housing Market Stabilization in 2025

China will continue its efforts to stabilize its real estate market and prevent further declines in 2025, according to Reuters, citing a report from China Construction News based on a recent work conference held by the housing regulator. The report detailed the government's plans to address the ongoing

BOJ's Ueda Sees Japan Nearing Sustainable 2% Inflation in 2025

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) Governor Kazuo Ueda believes the Japanese economy will make significant strides toward the central bank's 2% inflation target in 2025. He made these remarks on Wednesday to the business lobby Keidanren, as reported by Reuters. While this positive outlook suggests an upcoming interest

China Crackdown Traps Private Equity Investors

The world's leading private equity firms are facing a growing problem in China: they can't sell their investments. As Beijing continues its crackdown on initial public offerings (IPOs) and the Chinese economy slows, foreign investors find themselves trapped, unable to exit their investments and recoup their

UK Housebuilders Face Decade-Low Construction Levels Amidst Housing Crisis

The UK's listed housebuilders are on track to complete the fewest new homes for sale in a decade, as a combination of stringent planning regulations and elevated mortgage rates stifle the market, reports the Financial Times. This trend emerges despite the Labour government's ambitious efforts to

Coffee's Rally Forces Traders to Seek Alternative Hedging Plans

The surge in coffee prices is forcing traders to adopt innovative strategies to manage risk and mitigate financial strain, reports Bloomberg. Arabica coffee futures, the benchmark for high-quality beans, have surged approximately 70% in New York this year, reaching their highest levels in over four decades. This rapid price appreciation