Australia's Exports to US Surge, Reversing Trade Deficit
In the three months to March 2025, Australia's merchandise exports to the US surged more than three - fold year - on - year to A $16.7 billion, creating a trade surplus of A $4.1 billion and reversing a deficit of A $6.2 billion in the same period last year. Driven by the hedging demand triggered by Trump's tariff policies, the export of gold has become a key driving force
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Japan's Economy Faces Double Pressure: Manufacturing Contraction and Halted Central Bank Policy Shift
Japan'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.
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New Zealand's Housing Loan Risks Accumulate Despite Interest Rate Cuts
Despite 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.
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One in Four French Households Live in Severely Under-Occupied Homes: Insee Study
A 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.
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Canada Launches Largest - scale Economic Reform since WWII
Canada'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
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Canadian Stocks Reach New Monthly High, Led by Industrials and Energy Sectors with Tariff Concerns Lurking
On 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
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Japan's Economy Shrinks in Q1 as US Tariffs Hit Auto Industry
Japan's economy is expected to have shrunk by 0.2% on an annualized basis in the first quarter, the first negative growth in a year, according to a Reuters poll. The main reasons are weak domestic demand and imports growing faster than exports. Private consumption increased only slightly by 0.1%, as rising food prices curbed spending. Capital expenditure rose by 0.8%, but net exports dragged down GDP by 0.6%.
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London Housing Crisis Worsens: Double Blow of Homelessness and Construction Dilemma
London is facing a worsening housing crisis. In the first quarter of 2025, the number of rough sleepers reached 4,427, an 8% year - on - year increase, hitting a new record high. The government spends £4 million daily to accommodate 183,000 homeless people, including 90,000 children.
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Australian Consumer Spending Shows Signs of Moderate Recovery, Rate - Cut Expectations Strengthened
Australia's retail sales in March increased by 0.3% month - on - month and 4.3% year - on - year, expanding for the third consecutive month, indicating the resilience of household consumption. Food retail led the growth with a 0.7% increase, mainly due to the fact that families in Queensland stocked up on necessities in response to Hurricane Alfred, which significantly drove up the transaction volume of this category. However, catering services and department store sales declined by 0.5%, reflecting that non - essential spending is still restrained. There is obvious regional differentiation.
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S&P/ASX 200 Index Rises on Trade Talks Hope
The S&P/ASX 200 index closed 92.4 points higher, or 1.13%, on Friday. Expectations of a possible easing of the China - US trade impasse drove the index to its best weekly performance in nearly two years and to a two - month high. The statement by the Ministry of Commerce that it is "evaluating" the request from US trade officials to launch trade negotiations further boosted investor confidence.
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New Zealand: Housing Market Shifts to Buyer's Favor, Unemployment Rate May Reach Eight - year High
As 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.
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France and Spain Face Hurdles in Economic Policy Adjustment: Fiscal Austerity and Military Spending Pressure
In 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.
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Canada's Housing Demand Suppressed by Economic Recession Fears
Canada's housing market is facing a significant downturn as economic recession concerns weigh on potential homebuyers. A recent BMO survey reveals that 73% of would - be purchasers are adopting a wait - and - see attitude due to fears of an economic slump, a 13 - percentage - point increase compared to March.
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Canadian Stocks Retreat Slightly Amid Oil Price Decline and Service Sector Woes
On 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.
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Japan Clarifies on US Debt and Participates in 10+3 Finance Meeting
On 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.
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