China's factory output and retail sales reported their weakest growth since last year in August, keeping pressure on Beijing to roll out more stimulus to fend off a sharp slowdown in the world's second-largest economy.
China on Tuesday unveiled measures to boost services consumption, pledging to further open sectors such as internet and culture and to encourage the hosting of international sports events, in a bid to support the slowing economy.
US online sales growth during the 2025 holiday season is expected to slow from last year, as price-conscious shoppers stay picky with their spending amid rising living costs, according to a Salesforce forecast released on Tuesday.
Oil prices held steady in early trading on Wednesday, after rising more than 1% in the previous session on drone attacks on Russian ports and refineries, while traders awaited an expected rate cut from the US Federal Reserve.
The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits increased sharply last week, consistent with a material softening in labour market conditions.
China's auto market maintained steady expansion in August, with both production and sales reporting double-digit increases, data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) showed on Thursday.