Japan Considers Easing Import Car Reviews in Bid for Tariff Exemption as US-Japan Tariff Tussle EscalatesJapan Considers Easing Import Car Reviews in Bid for Tariff Exemption as US-Japan Tariff Tussle Escalates
Japanese Stocks to Be Closed on the 29th; BoJ Expected to Keep Rates Steady This Week, Pressuring Yen's Safe-Haven StatusJapanese Stocks to Be Closed on the 29th; BoJ Expected to Keep Rates Steady This Week, Pressuring Yen's Safe-Haven Status
US Economic Data Highlights: Trade Deficit Hits Record High, Housing Indexes Vary, and CDS Costs SurgeUS Economic Data Highlights: Trade Deficit Hits Record High, Housing Indexes Vary, and CDS Costs Surge
Australia's Exports to US Surge, Reversing Trade DeficitAustralia's Exports to US Surge, Reversing Trade Deficit
Japan's Economy Faces Double Pressure: Manufacturing Contraction and Halted Central Bank Policy ShiftJapan's Economy Faces Double Pressure: Manufacturing Contraction and Halted Central Bank Policy ShiftJapan's manufacturing sector has been in a continuous slump, with the PMI remaining below the boom - bust line for 10 consecutive months. In April, it recorded 48.7, and the new orders index saw its largest decline in 14 months. Weak demand from China, the US, and Europe, along with US tariff shocks, have significantly hit core export categories such as automobiles and semiconductors.
New Zealand's Housing Loan Risks Accumulate Despite Interest Rate CutsNew Zealand's Housing Loan Risks Accumulate Despite Interest Rate CutsDespite 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.
UK Economy Shows Mixed Signals: Ebbing Housing Policy and Pressured ManufacturingUK Economy Shows Mixed Signals: Ebbing Housing Policy and Pressured ManufacturingThe 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.
FTSE 100 Index Records 13 - day Winning Streak, but Macroeconomic Signals are MixedFTSE 100 Index Records 13 - day Winning Streak, but Macroeconomic Signals are MixedThe FTSE 100 index has witnessed a remarkable 13 - day consecutive gain, reaching a seven - year high. On May 2nd, it edged up 0.02% to 8,229.97. However, individual stocks showed a significant divergence. Rolls - Royce saw a 1.7% increase after confirming that tariff - relief measures would safeguard its annual targets.
One in Four French Households Live in Severely Under-Occupied Homes: Insee StudyOne in Four French Households Live in Severely Under-Occupied Homes: Insee StudyA study released by France’s National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (l'Insee) on Tuesday, July 8, reveals that a quarter of French households reside in severely under-occupied homes—defined as having at least three more rooms than actually needed. This phenomenon affects 7.6 million primary residences, 93% of which are single-family houses, with three-quarters of these under-occupied homes exceeding 100 square meters in size.
Buffett Warns Against Tariff Abuse at Berkshire Hathaway Annual MeetingBuffett Warns Against Tariff Abuse at Berkshire Hathaway Annual MeetingOn May 3rd, at the annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett, the 94 - year - old billionaire investor, expressed his views on the risks of abusing tariffs. He emphasized that "tariffs should not be used as a 'weapon'", and stated that "if other countries become more prosperous, the United States will also become richer".
Canada Launches Largest - scale Economic Reform since WWIICanada Launches Largest - scale Economic Reform since WWIICanada's Prime Minister Carney has announced the launch of the largest - scale economic transformation since World War II. The core measures include tax cuts for the middle class starting from July (a two - income family can save 825 Canadian dollars annually), the removal of internal trade barriers within the federation, reducing the proportion of temporary workers and international students to less than 5% by 2027
Canadian Stocks Reach New Monthly High, Led by Industrials and Energy Sectors with Tariff Concerns LurkingCanadian Stocks Reach New Monthly High, Led by Industrials and Energy Sectors with Tariff Concerns LurkingOn May 2nd, the S&P/TSX Composite Index in Canada rose 1% to 25,031.51, hitting a one - month high with a weekly gain of 1.3%. The market was boosted by the better - than - expected US employment data, which alleviated recession concerns. Coupled with the easing of trade tensions between China and the US, risk appetite recovered
UK Stocks Surge with Record - Long Rally, Led by Energy and Finance SectorsUK Stocks Surge with Record - Long Rally, Led by Energy and Finance SectorsThe UK's FTSE 100 index climbed 1.2% on May 2nd, registering its 15th consecutive daily gain and setting a new record for the longest streak of rises in its history. It is now just 3% below its March peak. Global trade tensions have eased, with signs of the US and China reopening negotiations on tariffs, and better - than - expected corporate earnings have boosted market sentiment and risk appetite.
New Zealand: Housing Market Shifts to Buyer's Favor, Unemployment Rate May Reach Eight - year HighNew Zealand: Housing Market Shifts to Buyer's Favor, Unemployment Rate May Reach Eight - year HighAs winter approaches, New Zealand's real estate market is tilting further towards buyers. In April, the national average asking price for residential properties dropped for the second consecutive month to NZ$851,746, a 3.8% decrease from the peak in February. Major cities like Auckland and Wellington have seen significant declines. The surge in housing supply is the main pressure point, with the number of houses for sale doubling to 35,924 in four years. Although inventory has decreased slightly recently, sales activity has not picked up correspondingly.
France and Spain Face Hurdles in Economic Policy Adjustment: Fiscal Austerity and Military Spending PressureFrance and Spain Face Hurdles in Economic Policy Adjustment: Fiscal Austerity and Military Spending PressureIn France, on May 3rd, Prime Minister Bérut stated that in order to defuse the social backlash caused by large - scale fiscal austerity, he is considering holding a referendum on the national budget, claiming that debt reduction is crucial for the "future of the country" and requires a decision from the entire population.
Canadian Stocks Retreat Slightly Amid Oil Price Decline and Service Sector WoesCanadian Stocks Retreat Slightly Amid Oil Price Decline and Service Sector WoesOn 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.
Japan Clarifies on US Debt and Participates in 10+3 Finance MeetingJapan Clarifies on US Debt and Participates in 10+3 Finance MeetingOn May 5th, Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato clarified in Milan, Italy, that Japan will not use the sale of its $1.3 trillion in US Treasuries as a bargaining chip in US trade negotiations, retracting his previous controversial remarks.
UK Family Income Disparities WorsenUK Family Income Disparities WorsenThe 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.
UK Markets Await Central Bank Decisions Amid Holiday LullUK Markets Await Central Bank Decisions Amid Holiday LullOn May 5, the UK stock market was closed due to a holiday. On Monday, the pound rose against the weakening US dollar. With the UK public holiday causing a lull in market news, all eyes are on the upcoming Bank of England's monetary policy decision later this week. There are no major domestic events before Thursday's Bank of England meeting.
New Zealand's Trade Shows Positive Signs as Real Estate Market Remains MixedNew Zealand's Trade Shows Positive Signs as Real Estate Market Remains MixedOn May 5, positive signals emerged in New Zealand's trade sector, with the impact of US - imposed tariffs on agricultural exports proving to be limited. Paul Clark, an economist at Westpac, forecasts that milk prices will remain stable at NZ$10.30 per kilogram this season, potentially edging down to NZ$10 next season, though fluctuations in supply, demand, and exchange rates could still drive prices upward.
