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China's industrial profits remain resilient despite the economy's reliance on exports and factories
In May, profits at China's industrial companies grew at a slower pace but still in double digits. This highlights a widening divide within an economy that relies on factory output and exports to offset a weak domestic demand. The economy is still fragile due to a long-term property slump and structural imbalances which continue to weigh down on the domestic market. Companies that are trying to avoid the increasing competition in their home market face new uncertainty due to the prolonged Iran conflict. National Bureau of Statistics data showed that the profit growth of the industrial firms of the country in May was 21.1% compared to a year earlier, down from 24.7% in the month of April. The profits for January-May rose 18.8% over the same period last year, compared to an increase of 18.2% in the first four month. Zhaopeng Xing is a senior China strategist with ANZ. She said that the price increase was the primary driver for corporate profit 'growth. The earnings trends of different sectors have been very divergent. The profits of manufacturers of computers, communications and electronic equipment increased by 103.9% between January-May. This accounted for 43.1% growth of all industrial companies. Profits from non-ferrous ore mining, processing and exporting rose by 93.9%. Contrastingly, automakers' profits dropped 19.8%, despite strong exports. Furniture makers' profits plummeted 58.4%. TianchenXu, senior economics at Economist Intelligence Unit said that the differentiation highlighted the importance of de-escalation?of the Iran Conflict. As shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is resumed and oil prices drop internationally, we will see a gradual increase in profits. The U.S. Military attacked Iran on Friday as a response to an Iranian drone attack on a cargo vessel in the 'Strait of Hormuz. Each country accused the other of breaking the terms of the ceasefire agreement last week. Analysts expect Chinese policymakers will step up targeted assistance to stabilise corporate profitability, especially as consolidation accelerates within sectors that are grappling with excessive capacity and fierce competition. People familiar with the situation said that China's central banks had instructed certain commercial banks to increase lending in this month. This is the latest indication that the demand for credit is still weak, as the economy struggles with slow domestic consumption. China's factory gate inflation increased to a near four-year-high in May. Cost pressures squeezed corporate profits. The figures for industrial profit are based on firms that have annual revenues from their primary operations of at least 20,000,000 yuan (2,95,000,000 dollars). $1 = 6.7783 Chinese Yuan (Reporting and editing by Qiaoyi Li; Ellen Zhang, Shuyan Wan, Ryan Woo, and Ryan Woo)
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Two people were killed in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine by Russian drones and one person in Sumy.
Regional officials reported that a 'Russian drone strike' killed two people in a minibus on Friday in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk Region and another in the bordering Sumy Region. Oleksandr hanzha, the Dnipropetrovsk regional governor, wrote on Telegram that two people were killed and 12 injured in the attack in Nikopol. Two of the victims were children. The town, located on the other side of the Dnipro River, from the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, is often the target of Russian attacks. Oleh Hryhorov, the regional governor of the Sumy Region, said that a drone strike killed a man outside the main regional center, also known as Sumy. Mikhail Fedorov, the governor of the southeastern region of?Zaporizhzhia, said that two people had been injured by Russian strikes which continued for a day and damaged apartment buildings' facades. It was impossible to verify the independent accounts of either side. (Reporting by Ron Popeski; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)
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Ambassador Carney says that China's Geely will ship the first Lotus EVs in Canada to Canada by July, under Carney-Xi agreement.
Wang Di, China's Ambassador to Canada, told? Wang Di, China's ambassador to Canada, told? The first Chinese-owned,?manufactured? vehicles will be sold under an agreement that allows for up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles to enter Canada at a reduced rate every year. Carney is trying to diversify Canada’s trade away the United States. Wang stated that "Geely EVs are coming to Canada next month, and there will be a ceremony in Montreal when the cars arrive." Lotus Cars didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment. The Global Affairs Department of Canada could not comment immediately on the expected arrival of the first cars. Wang stated that other Chinese brands?such Chery and BYD?are coordinating with Canadian agencies to complete the steps before they are allowed to ship to Canada. Canadian officials previously said that some cars were delivered earlier to allow the companies to test them in Canadian conditions. Wang, through an interpreter, said: "I hope that in the autumn of this year, other Chinese brands EVs will finish the procedures and enter the Canadian market." Stella Li, BYD's Executive Vice President, recently said that the company was likely to start selling next year. Tesla, based in the United States, has already imported Chinese made vehicles into Canada. Canada is also looking to attract joint-ventures and investments in the country's EV supply chains. Wang said Chinese electric vehicle makers were interested to set up joint ventures but first would focus on building sales. Carney's decision to permit Chinese EV imports was criticized by some U.S. officials. Trade expected to spike Carney said that Canada will increase its exports by 50% to China by 2030 during his visit to China in January. Wang Yi, China's minister of foreign affairs, said that exports to China could grow by 100 percent last month. Wang stated that to double Canadian exports in China, they will need to increase by nearly 15% per year for the next five. Wang also noted that Canadian exports are already up 27.5% since Carney’s visit. He said: "I think we could go beyond 100%. Maybe, we could reach 200%." Wang said Canada can supply China with nearly 22 million tons of crude oil annually, an increase from 15.5 million tons in the previous year. He stated that he thought China had "great potential" to purchase liquefied gas from Canada without providing any further details. Wang stated that Canada, as a major exporter for canola, peas, and beef, only supplies 2% of Chinese agricultural products, which highlights the vast market Canada could tap. He said that as long as we stay on the right track and move at the correct pace in the right direction there is a great deal of potential to grow our business. China reduced tariffs on certain?Canadian goods in March, but kept duties on canola and pork at 100%. The tariff relief for products such as canola meal and peas expires in the next few months, creating uncertainty among exporters. Wang declined to comment on whether China would continue the tariff suspension or lower tariffs on canola and pork. "As long?as the two countries uphold mutual respect, equality, reciprocity,... we will not be unable to resolve anything." He warned Carney that his government must adhere to the principles of mutual trust, find common ground, and seek mutually beneficial outcomes. He said that if these principles were not followed there would be negative consequences. Reporting by PromitMukherjee and Maria Cheng; Editing by Caroline Stauffer & Rod Nickel
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Stocks in the world are falling as a tech sell-off drags down markets
The global equity markets fell on Friday as investors continued to take profits from?highly-flying tech and chip stocks. Meanwhile, crude oil prices plummeted as more tankers left Strait of Hormuz. Wall Street's three major indexes ended slightly lower, as losses in the industrials, energy, and technology sectors offset gains in healthcare, real estate, and technology stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was on track to post a weekly increase. Chip stocks fell 5.3%. This is the biggest weekly drop since March 2025. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.09%. The S&P 500 fell 0.05%. And the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.24%. Mark Hackett is the chief market strategist for Nationwide. He said that it's a combination between a necessary and healthy consolidation period following the historic run from March and a drastic rotation away from tech. "Overall, this selloff is modest in context. I expect that we will resume higher once the consolidation period concludes, as investors are still buying at the dip and fundamentals remain strong." Apple's price?hikes sparked?concerns about structural inflation due to AI giants' massive spending and the limited availability of key components. European stocks dropped by nearly 0.7% and technology stocks by 1.17%. MSCI's Asian stock index outside Japan dropped by almost 3%. South Korea's KOSPI dropped as much as 5,8%. The MSCI index of global stocks fell by 0.53%, and the loss was expected to be 2% for the week. OIL PRICES FALL SHARPENLY Crude oil prices fell sharply on Friday due to easing supply concerns as more oil tankers left the Strait of Hormuz. This was despite a cargo ship being hit in Oman, on Thursday. Shipping data from LSEG shows that Saudi Aramco, the world's largest refiner, resumed oil loading at its terminal in Ras?Tanura on Friday after a nearly 4-month halt. Brent crude futures fell by 4.34% and settled at $72 a barrel. YEN WEAKNESS The yen was hovering near its lowest level in forty years against the dollar, at 161.76, above the 160 level which many consider to be a 'line in the sand' for Japanese authorities. The euro rose 0.14% to $1.1385, but was on track for its second consecutive loss against the US dollar. The dollar index eased, but was on track for a second consecutive weekly gain when compared to peers. The index dropped 0.16% to 102.35. Treasury yields fell. Treasury yields dropped. The yield on the benchmark U.S. 10-year note fell by 1.16 basis points, to 4.38%. The yield on the 2-year note, which is usually in line with expectations of interest rates for the Federal Reserve fell 2.48 basis to 4.096%. Spot gold increased 1.06%, to $4 068,72 per ounce. Reporting by Chibuike OGOH in New York, editing by Chizu Nomiyama & David Gregorio
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The outgoing IMF chief economics sees shifting trade relations, continued uncertainty and risks on the global outlook
IMF Chief Economist?Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas stated on Friday that strategic petroleum releases prevented a more rapid rise in oil prices due to the Middle East war. However, the global economy is at risk if the fragile ceasefire agreement between the U.S. Gourinchas said in an interview that the reserves of the countries were now depleted. This meant they would have less maneuvering room if the conflict flared up again. Gourinchas has warned for years that geopolitical tensions can lead to an even more fragmented global economy. He did not give any details on a new forecast the IMF will release on July 8 after he returns back to academia. He suggested that the global lender should return to a base-line forecast, instead of the three scenarios it published in April. The Fund skipped a baseline projection for the second time in his tenure. The first was after the?U.S. The tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on imports from the majority of countries around the world have thrown global trade into chaos. IMF spokeswoman Julie Kozack left it open on Thursday whether the IMF will continue to use the three growth scenarios or return to a traditional baseline forecast. She said that the global economy is moving away from the "reference scenario," which assumed an end to the conflict quickly and growth of 3,1% in 2026 to a "disadvantageous scenario" with growth of 2.5%. Gourinchas stated that in 2025 and 2026 there was little historical precedent upon which to rely to make a credible baseline prediction. This meant economists would have to "be modest" and take a step back and not base their forecasts on baselines. Instead, they should look at a range or outcomes, outlined as scenarios. Such cases are rare. He said that he didn't want it to happen too often, but he did admit the risks and uncertainty were high. Gourinchas stated that quick releases of strategic oil reserves and changes to production by refiners helped to avoid even more steep increases in oil price, with only 3% of global oil removed from market instead of 10-15% as initially predicted. The risks are higher and the countries have less oil to cushion any further reductions in supply in case of a breakdown in the ceasefire and resumption of hostilities. Trump blamed Iran on Friday for an attack against a ship near Oman, which he claimed had violated the ceasefire. This highlighted the fragility in a preliminary agreement to end the Iran War. Deals without the US, shifting trade ties Gourinchas noted that global trade flows, and relationships have clearly changed in the wake of Trump's tariffs. He also mentioned the completion by the European Union of trade agreements with Latin America, and India following decades of negotiation. "All of the sudden, both have been signed in less than a year. It's not a mere coincidence. He said that you can't afford to not deepen your?trade relationships with other countries. He said that tariffs, and other economic sanctions, had a limited use, but did not mention Trump's increased use of tariffs in addressing a variety of policy disputes. He said that there is a belief that having "these kinds of chokepoints or this critical lever" is really important. But, he added, we see how quickly the global economy is trying to find ways around these points. The other side will respond. They do not remain passive. They find ways to circumvent, accelerate innovation or develop new business ties with partners. "They almost never work in the long-term." Reporting by Andrea Shalal, Editing by Andrea Ricci
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Stocks in the world are falling as a tech sell-off drags down markets
The global equity markets fell on Friday as investors continued to take profits from?highly-flying tech and chip stocks. Meanwhile, crude oil prices plummeted as more tankers left Strait of Hormuz. Wall Street saw all three indexes trading lower, with choppy trading, as losses in energy, industrials and technology offset gains in healthcare stocks and real estate. The Dow Jones was on course for a gain, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are headed for weekly losses. The chip stocks fell 5% for a loss of 7.7% per week, the biggest weekly drop since March. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.11%. The S&P 500?lost 0.15 % and the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.29%. Mark Hackett is the chief market strategist for Nationwide. He said, "It's both a necessary and healthy consolidation period following the historic run that began in March and a dramatic shift away from technology and everything else." "Overall, this selloff is modest in the context of things. I expect that we will resume higher once consolidation ends, as investors are still buying at the dip, and fundamentals are solid." Apple's price hikes fueled fears of structural inflation due to AI giants' massive spending and the limited availability of key components. European stocks dropped by nearly 0.7% and technology stocks by 1.17%. MSCI's Asian stock index outside Japan dropped by almost 3%. South Korea's KOSPI dropped as much as 5,8%. The MSCI index of global stocks fell by 0.62%, and the loss was expected to be 2.2% for the week. OIL PRICES FALL SHARPENLY Crude oil prices fell sharply on Friday as a result of easing supply concerns, as more oil tanks left the Strait of Hormuz. This was despite a cargo ship being hit in Oman near Thursday. Shipping data from LSEG shows that Saudi Aramco, the world's largest refiner, resumed oil loading at its Ras-Tanura terminal in Gulf on?Friday after a nearly 4-month halt. Brent crude futures?fell by 4.34% and settled at $72 per barrel. WEAKNESS OF THE YEN The yen was at 161.71 against the dollar, which is above the 160 mark that many consider to be a line drawn in the sand by Japanese authorities. The euro rose?0.14% to $1.1385, but it was on track for its second consecutive loss against the US dollar. The dollar index slowed down, but it was on track for a second consecutive weekly gain?against its peers. The index dropped 0.16% to 101.35. The benchmark Treasury yields in Europe and the U.S. were lower. The benchmark yield for U.S. 10 year notes dropped 1.95 basis point to 4.373%, while the benchmark yield for German Bunds 10-years fell by 0.53 basis point to 2.848%. Spot gold increased 1.01%, to $4.067.55 per ounce. Reporting by Chibuike OGOH in New York, editing by Chizu OMIYADA and David Gregorio
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Battery storage is the new focus for lithium producers as demand moves beyond electric vehicles
Leading producers said at an industry 'conference' this week that the lithium industry has become more optimistic about a recovery in the market as booming demand for?battery storage?systems offsets a slowdown on some?electric car markets. Electric vehicles have driven lithium demand in recent years. However, changes to regulations in the United States as well as elsewhere have led to a cooling of sales in certain key markets. This slowdown coincided in part with an overproduction of lithium, which pushed prices down sharply. The market is changing due to the growing demand for stationary batteries storage systems. This is largely driven by artificial intelligence, and the efforts made to improve power grids. Raju Daswani is the CEO of Fastmarkets. He said that "the period of market overcorrection has ended." "Energy Storage has become the primary driver of this market's growth." He said that Fastmarkets estimated?that the lithium demand for battery-storage systems is increasing at 40% annually. Daswani said at the Fastmarkets Global Lithium, Battery and Critical Materials Conference, held in Las Vegas. The organizers reported that attendance at the conference, which is considered to be the largest annual gathering in the world of lithium investors and executives, grew 10% this year, reaching?about 1,100. The mood at the conference was markedly different from that of the 2025 event, which had a gloomy atmosphere. Since then, lithium prices have tripled. Jerome Pecresse is the head of Rio Tinto’s aluminum and Lithium business unit. The company aims to increase lithium production capacity to 2028. Albemarle is the world's biggest lithium producer and noted that battery storage has been growing steadily, as opposed to the lumpy demand for EVs. Eric Norris (chief commercial officer of the company) said on the sidelines of the conference that "grid storage is more evenly distributed throughout the world." It's a very interesting demand driver. As a sign of the market's demand, ioneer announced on Monday that it had signed a Letter of Intent with Hyundai Engineering and a South Korean government arm to support its Nevada Lithium project. GOVERNMENT PRICING SUPPORT IS STILL SOUGHT Executives urged governments to continue to support the price of lithium processing, which is dominated by low-cost Chinese firms. Last week, G7 leaders, for example, agreed to improve coordination efforts in order to boost Western?lithium- and nickel-markets. What are governments willing pay for supply security? Dale Henderson said that a tax is due for this, but it hasn't yet been paid. Audrey Robertson, U.S. Assistant Energy?Secretary, encouraged industry to focus on technology innovations that could change the way the markets for lithium, and other critical minerals, function. Robertson said on the sidelines of the conference that the way lithium is processed today will not be the same in five years. (Reporting and editing by Ernest Scheyder)
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France urges World Bank to keep climate targets
The French development minister made an 11th-hour appeal to the World Bank, Thursday. He urged?it not to give in to pressure from the United States, its largest shareholder, and to stick to the climate finance target that is due to expire at the end this month. The U.S. administration of President Donald Trump has asked the World Bank to abandon its target to dedicate 45% to climate-related lending and instead focus on core development, including a returning to fossil fuels projects. Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) has been extended for an additional year, but it is likely to expire without a replacement. This is something that many European and World Bank shareholders are concerned about. Eleonore Caoit, France's Development Minister, said that as shareholders of these institutions it was our responsibility to make sure their operations were sufficiently ambitious? when it came to climate finance. "And, of course, this is the case when?other investors have different views about climate, as is the case right now," she continued, referring specifically to the U.S. Donald Trump's administration. The directors of the U.S.A., Japan India, Saudi Arabia Russia, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia declined to sign the statement. A spokesperson for the World Bank responded to France's plea: "On our Climate Change Action Plan we are in active discussion with our shareholders on what comes next - focusing together what is most important?to our client: smart development and tangible results." France will continue to advocate for Caroit whose train from Paris to London was delayed due track problems caused by European temperature records. Shareholders who are supportive of Caroit said they would "remain incredibly attentive" as to what happens next. She said that she would continue to advocate for the World Bank Climate Change Action Plan to take the correct direction. This is something we have been doing in Washington and will be doing in Bangkok within a few months, in reference to the World Bank's and IMF's annual meetings, which will occur in mid-October. She emphasized how U.S. opposition had stalled other global environmental initiatives including the Plastics Pollution Treaty since Trump returned to office. "We shouldn't abandon. Caroit stated that we should "continue to be focused on the countries who want to continue and ensure this produces results." She added that, with?climate disasters likely to increase in frequency due to global warming, "we need to send out a strong message to all countries, and to all economic players, especially in a period of backlash in certain countries." (Reporting and editing by Barbara Lewis, Deepa Babington, and Marc Jones)
French city dwellers switch from stifling apartment to cool hotel rooms
The heatwave in France this week was one of the worst ever recorded. Many city dwellers sought any refuge they could find. They checked into hotels for air conditioning and pools.
On Wednesday, temperatures in 'Paris' reached a record of?40.9° Celsius (105.62° Fahrenheit), a day after France had its hottest recorded day since records began.
Few private apartments, especially in the capital with its dense population, have air conditioning. Around three-quarters (75%) of Paris roofs are made of sheets of zinc. This material is a heat-absorber and conductor.
This has caused a rush for hotels in both cities and outside.
Residents?Veronique savoye said that air-conditioned hotels in the historic city Tours, in western France, were almost full this week. She said she was "unable to think straight" because of the heat at home, and so checked into a?hotel in the area for a 4-night stay until Friday.
She said, "It is about sleeping better and being more comfortable."
Matthieu Evrard said that he was inundated by requests.
It is an extraordinary phenomenon. "I get between five and 10 people per day contacting me directly through different connections in order to book rooms at our hotels," said he.
"With the heatwave everything has been filled in just two weeks."
His group operates Les Maisons de Campagne, a countryside hotel brand with two properties in the Yvelines department, roughly 45 minutes from Paris -- the ?Chateau de Villiers-le-Mahieu, set in a 12-hectare park, and the Maison du Val ?in Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
The two are now fully booked, despite the fact that neither have air conditioning. Instead, they rely on ceiling fans, and the natural cooling of thick stone walls.
He said that the surrounding countryside, as well as the pools, at both locations, added to the appeal of Parisians who were eager to leave their apartments. Many had children with them whose schools closed due to the heat.
Savoye said that a hotel stay is not for everyone. However, she decided to spend a portion of her vacation budget on the room.
It was what I would call a "staycation." It was well worth it for me." (Reporting and editing by Sanjeev miglani, Jan Harvey and Mathieu Patton)
(source: Reuters)