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More bullish on China's economy now than anytime since 2019: China Market Research Group

More bullish on China's economy now than anytime since 2019: China Market Research Group

CNBC27-05-2025

Shaun Rein, founder and managing director of the China Market Research Group, discusses the outlook for the Chinese economy.

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Minister flags concern over BC Ferries' construction deal with Chinese shipyard
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British Columbia's transport minister says he has raised concerns with BC Ferries about its decision to have a Chinese shipyard build four new ferries for its passenger fleet, amid an ongoing trade conflict between Canada and China. Mike Farnworth says he's worried about procuring services from 'any country that is actively harming Canada's economy' with tariffs and protectionism. Farnworth's remarks come hours after the announcement by BC Ferries CEO Nicolas Jimenez that China Merchants Industry Weihai Shipyards had won the contract. Jimenez said he wasn't worried about geopolitical tensions between Canada and China, adding his primary focus was getting the province a good deal. Farnworth says in a statement that BC Ferries is an independent company, but he's disappointed 'more involvement from Canadian shipyards' wasn't part of the contract. The first vessel is expected to come into service in 2029 with the others following in six-month intervals. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2025.

US stocks drift closer to their record as Wall Street waits to see what US-China talks will bear
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NEW YORK — U.S. stocks drifted closer to their all-time high on Tuesday as the wait continued to hear what will come of trade talks between the United States and China. The S&P 500 rose 0.5% as talks between the world's two largest economies carried into a second day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 105 points, or 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.6%. Stocks have roared higher since dropping roughly 20% below their record two months ago, when President Donald Trump shocked financial markets with his announcement of tariffs that were so stiff that they raised worries about a possible recession. Much of the rally has been due to hopes that Trump would lower his tariffs after reaching trade deals with countries around the world, and the S&P 500 is back within 1.7% of its record set in February. It's getting to be time to see whether such hopes were warranted. The talks with China were going 'really, really well,' U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said Tuesday evening in London, where the talks were being held. The two sides worked on 'all sorts of trade issues,' he said, according to a video clip posted by the Chinese state broadcaster CGTN. Both the United States and China have put many of their tariffs announced against each other on pause as talks continue. Even though many tariffs are on hold for the moment, they're still affecting companies and their ability to make profits because of all the uncertainty they've created. Designer Brands, the company behind the DSW shoe store chain, became the latest U.S. company to yank its financial forecasts for 2025 because of 'uncertainty stemming primarily from global trade policies.' The company, which also owns the Keds, Jessica Simpson and other shoe brands, reported a larger loss for the start of the year than analysts were expecting, and its revenue also fell short of forecasts. CEO Doug Howe pointed to 'persistent instability and pressure on consumer discretionary' spending, and the company's stock tumbled 18.2%. The uncertainty is moving in both directions, to be sure. A survey released Tuesday of optimism among small U.S. businesses improved a bit in May. 'While the economy will continue to stumble along until the major sources of uncertainty are resolved, owners reported more positive expectations on business conditions and sales growth,' according to Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist at the National Federation of Independent Business. On Wall Street, J.M. Smucker fell 15.6% even though its results for the latest quarter topped analysts' expectations. Its revenue fell short of expectations, as did its forecast for profit in the upcoming year. Tesla helped to make up for such losses after rising 5.7%. The electric vehicle company has been recovering since tumbling last week as Elon Musk's relationship with Trump imploded. That raised fear about possible retaliation by the U.S. government against Tesla. Shares that trade in the United States of chipmaking giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. rose 2.6% after the company known as TSMC said its revenue in May jumped nearly 40% from the year earlier. Casey's General Stores leaped 11.6% after the chain of convenience stores based in Ankeny, Iowa, reported a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It credited strength in sales of hot sandwiches and other items. All told, the S&P 500 rose 32.93 points to 6,038.81. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 105.11 to 42,866.87, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 123.75 to 19,714.99. In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed amid mostly modest movements across Europe and Asia. A 0.8% drop for Germany's DAX and a 0.6% gain for South Korea's Kospi were two of the bigger moves. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4.47% from 4.49% late Monday. Choe writes for the Associated Press.

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