Growth in 2023 moderates to 3.7%

Profits at China’s industrial companies increased in the first two months of the year, extending a gaining streak since August and adding to positive signs in the economy.

Despite witnessing stability in the unemployment rate within the local labour market, a growing number of informal workers are causing economist to worry about the cost of living crisis.

The yen’s rapid fall past 150 against the dollar adds a further complication for the Bank of Japan (BoJ) as it considers the best timing for its first interest rate hike since 2007.