Economic events
Deflation and tariff-hit China sets lowest growth target on record at 4.5% to 5%
Xi Jinping, China’s president, center, attends the opening session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, China, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Qilai Shen | Bloomberg | Getty Images China on Thursday set its GDP growth target for 2026 at 4.5% to 5% — the lowest […]
Read More
China to reportedly boost defense spending by 7%, slowest pace since 2021
Key Points China reportedly plans to raise defense spending by 7% this year, the slowest increase since 2021. China kicks off an 8-day parliamentary meeting Thursday. Beijing ranks second to the U.S. in military spending. Source
Read More
China’s factory activity slumps more than expected in February as holiday disrupts production
A cargo ship is parked at a berth loading and unloading containers at the Lianyungang Port Container Terminal in Jiangsu Province, China on March 1, 2026. Cfoto | Future Publishing | Getty Images China’s factory activity faltered in February as manufacturers paused production and cargo shipment to celebrate an extended holiday, an official survey showed […]
Read More
China is set to kick off its big policy meeting. What will be the key announcements?
Key Points Beijing is expected to set GDP growth target at around 4.5% to 5% this year, inflation target unchanged at 2%, budget deficit of 4%. The world’s second-largest economy faces persistent challenges at home amid a consumption downturn and prolonged real estate slump. Source
Read More
What’s next for global markets as oil surges and stocks plunge on Middle East conflict
Assets from stocks to bonds sold off across the globe on Tuesday, as the intensifying conflict in the Middle East fueled risk-off sentiment. It came as the U.S.-Iran war entered its fourth day , marked by more missile and drone strikes across the region and a warning from U.S. President Donald Trump that the conflict […]
Read More
What to expect from the UK’s budget update, the Spring Statement
Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves speaks during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 20, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. Fabrice Coffrini | Afp | Getty Images As the U.K.’s Finance Minister Rachel Reeves prepares to give an […]
Read More
India’s economy grows at faster-than-expected pace of 7.8% in December quarter
Construction laborers work on a high rise building in Kolkata on July 23, 2024. Dibyangshu Sarkar | Afp | Getty Images India’s economy grew at a faster pace than expected of 7.8% in the quarter ending December. A Reuters poll of economists had pegged the October-December gross domestic product to grow at 7.2%. In the […]
Read More
CNBC’s Inside India newsletter: As AI shockwaves hit global software firms, what’s in store for India’s IT titans?
Ai trading concepts. 3D render Blackjack3d | E+ | Getty Images This report is from this week’s CNBC’s “Inside India” newsletter which brings you timely, insightful news and market commentary on the emerging powerhouse. Subscribe here. The big story Indian IT stocks are facing their steepest monthly declines since the 2008 global financial crisis, with the […]
Read More
China holiday spending sends a strong signal on consumer stimulus plans
People watch performances to welcome the ‘God of Wealth’ during Lunar New Year festivities at Qianmen Street in Beijing, China, on February 21, 2026. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images BEIJING — China’s consumer market is recovering — just enough that policymakers likely won’t need to roll out the large-scale stimulus that investors have long […]
Read More
CNBC’s The China Connection newsletter: What’s at stake in the countdown to the Trump-Xi meeting
This report is from this week’s CNBC’s The China Connection newsletter, which brings you insights and analysis on what’s driving the world’s second-largest economy. You can subscribe here. The big story As street traffic returns in Beijing after a nine-day holiday, there’s little time for businesses to breathe, ahead of a critical few weeks for U.S.-China […]
Read More