It is a daily ritual for millions of Australians, but if you have noticed the price of your morning flat white or soy latte increase, brace yourself — it is likely to get worse.
By the end of the year,...
It is a daily ritual for millions of Australians, but if you have noticed the price of your morning flat white or soy latte increase, brace yourself — it is likely to get worse.
By the end of the year,...
Tesla cars have been restricted in China due to data security concerns. However, after meeting data security requirements, Chinese authorities have lifted the restrictions. Tesla CEO Elon Musk's recent meeting with Chinese officials also sparked hopes for the availability of Tesla's Full Self Driving software in China, though experts believe it's unlikely.
China's strict government control of the economy may lead to a surge in bond defaults next year. Despite low default rates, analysts worry that government actions to prevent defaults could create imbalances. Tech, consumer, and retail sectors remain vulnerable due to slowing growth. The real estate market's weakness, which has caused previous defaults, also remains a concern. Ultimately, the stability of the property market and Beijing's economic strategy will determine the likelihood of future bond defaults.
Investors should consider commodities due to global economic growth, particularly driven by China. Commodities like copper, gold, and energy are performing well, supported by demand and government spending. VanEck CEO Jan van Eck emphasizes the positive outlook for commodities, as evidenced by a recent increase in China's manufacturing activity and the momentum of copper prices.
Global economic growth remains steady at 3.2%, but below past averages due to factors like declining productivity and reduced investment. Artificial intelligence shows potential for growth, but its impact is uncertain. Inflation is projected to decline, but geopolitical tensions could affect it. Interest rates may change, depending on factors like inflation. Trade disruptions and fragmentation pose risks, but early action can mitigate them. China's economy remains resilient, despite property sector challenges, and support measures are encouraged.
China's economy grew unexpectedly in the first quarter of 2023, despite concerns about its slowing recovery. Growth reached 5.3%, bolstered by government spending on infrastructure. However, challenges remain, including a struggling real estate sector, heavy local government debt, and weak consumer spending. The government aims for 5% growth this year but economists are cautious due to last year's inflated growth and the uneven recovery.
Beijing's prime retail rents are rising at their fastest pace since 2019, driven by new businesses and electric car companies. While China's commercial property market is still recovering from the pandemic and real estate slump, prices are approaching an attractive buying point for investors. Despite the uncertainties, some experts believe the long-term outlook for China's commercial real estate is positive due to its large population and economic growth potential.
The World Trade Organization predicts global trade will rise 2.6% in 2024 after a 1.2% drop in 2023. This is expected due to lower inflation and interest rates. Despite this, geopolitical tensions, particularly between the US and China, could disrupt trade. The WTO also observed increasing trade fragmentation along political lines, with trade growth between opposing blocks being slower than within them.
China's economy needs a boost, but it's struggling because people don't believe home prices will increase. As a result, people aren't borrowing money to buy homes or invest in businesses. The government is hesitant to provide more stimulus because they view their previous program as a failure that led to overheating and speculation. To avoid a worse economic downturn, China needs to convince people that home prices will rise and encourage borrowing. This will help jump-start activity and drive down risk.
The US Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, stated that future talks between the US and China will focus on the need for Beijing to shift its industrial and economic policies. Yellen believes China's overcapacity in certain sectors has been harming other countries' economies. She and Chinese officials discussed Beijing's economic plans, but further details were not provided. The topics of national security and information exchange on economic tools were also discussed during Yellen's visit to China.
Donald Trump plans to reinstate tariffs on imports if he becomes president again. Richard Koo, a chief economist, believes these tariffs may have some economic benefit. Decades of trade deficits and a strong dollar led many Americans to feel they lost out from free trade, supporting Trump's protectionist policies. However, economists generally oppose tariffs as they increase costs for consumers. The Biden administration has focused on industrial policies instead of tariffs to boost domestic manufacturing.
Xiaomi's SU7 electric car has sparked excitement in China, with its low price and long range challenging Tesla's Model 3. Xiaomi's shares surged upon its launch, and wait times for the SU7 are now five months. Other Chinese EV makers like Xpeng, Nio, and Li Auto have recently cut delivery forecasts, while BYD remains the industry leader. The growing competition and slowing new energy vehicle growth indicate a highly competitive Chinese electric car market.
Xiaomi is releasing its debut electric car, the SU7, priced lower than Tesla's Model 3, at 30,408 USD. Xiaomi claims the SU7 outperforms the Model 3 in most aspects. Despite selling at a loss, Xiaomi hopes its SU7 will compete with the Model 3 and expand its ecosystem of connected devices.
