In July, the Small and Medium Enterprise Index (SMEI) rebounded to 50.4, showing signs of recovery in expectations and credit conditions. This improvement was evidenced by a rise from 49.9 in June, bringing the SMEI back into expansionary territory. Standard Chartered economists Hunter Chan and Shuang Ding noted that this rebound was largely due to
Real Estate
The second-quarter results of U.S. banks have revealed a concerning trend of increased provisions for credit losses, driven by deteriorating commercial real estate (CRE) loans and high-interest rates. In response to this, regional lenders like M&T Bank are gradually reducing their exposure to the troubled CRE sector and repositioning their balance sheets to concentrate on
Recent statements from top Chinese officials have highlighted the country’s commitment to focusing on its own affairs amidst escalating trade tensions with various nations. Han Wenxiu, deputy director at the Chinese Communist Party’s central committee office for financial and economic affairs, emphasized the importance of concentrating on internal matters to ensure the smooth running of
China’s Third Plenum is a highly anticipated policy meeting that holds significant weight in shaping the country’s economic policies. In the past, Third Plenums have led to transformative periods for China, as seen in 1978 under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping. During that year’s Third Plenum, China made a bold move to open its doors
China’s National Bureau of Statistics recently reported that the country’s second-quarter GDP only rose by 4.7% year on year, which fell short of the expected 5.1% growth. This news has left many economists and investors concerned about the slower than anticipated growth in the Chinese economy. Additionally, June retail sales also missed estimates, only rising
On Friday, Wall Street experienced a surge in stock prices, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average reaching new record highs. Investors were optimistic about potential interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve in September, prompting a flurry of activity in the market. However, despite the initial spike in stock prices, the
The Australian Trade Balance has been facing a deteriorating trend due to various economic factors. China’s lackluster demand, the collapse of the real estate market, and the slump in iron ore prices in the first half of 2024 have all contributed to this downward trend. Additionally, trade tensions between Australia and China, as well as
When it comes to the luxury real estate market, iconic homes carry a certain premium that is hard to fully quantify. Real estate experts suggest that buyers are often willing to pay extra for the pedigree that comes with owning a piece of pop culture history. Comparing it to owning a rare piece of art
An unexpected increase in initial jobless claims has the potential to influence investor sentiments regarding a September Fed rate cut. This spike could signal weaker labor market conditions, impacting wage growth, disposable income, and consumer confidence. As a result, consumers may reduce spending, leading to a decrease in demand-driven inflationary pressures. A downturn in consumer
European shares saw a steady increase for the third consecutive session as investors eagerly awaited the predicted interest rate cut by the European Central Bank (ECB). The STOXX 600 ended the day with a 0.3% rise, with Spanish and Italian stocks leading the gains at 0.7% and 0.5% respectively. The positive sentiment in the market
Most stock markets in the Gulf region saw an upturn on Sunday with the Saudi index leading the way. Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index rose 1.1% following a U.S. inflation reading that hinted at potential interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. This increase came after the index hit a more than five-month low on Thursday.
As the cost of living continues to rise, many individuals are finding creative ways to cut back on expenses without sacrificing the quality of their leisure time. One such individual is avid traveler Lora Bowler, who has discovered the benefits of utilizing hotel day passes to enjoy luxury amenities without the hefty price tag of