Malaysia's economy likely expanded 4.9 per cent in 2025, beating the government and central bank's projections, as growth in the final quarter of the year surged on strong performances in key sectors and robust domestic demand.
China's central bank announced on Thursday cuts to sector-specific interest rates to provide an early boost to the economy, and signalled it has room this year for further reductions in banks' cash reserve requirements and for broader rate cuts.
China’s economic growth is likely to slow to 4.5% in 2026 and maintain the same pace in 2027, a Reuters poll showed, piling pressure for more stimulus as policymakers look to address deep structural vulnerabilities to underpin the nation's longer-term health.
Asian stocks were a mixed bag on Friday as technology shares advanced tracking positive earnings from chipmaking bellwether TSMC, but losses in other sectors limited overall gains.
The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell last week, but the drop was likely due to ongoing challenges adjusting the data for seasonal fluctuations around this time of the year.
The International Monetary Fund’s latest economic forecasts due next week will show the global economy’s continued resilience to trade shocks and “fairly strong” growth, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told Reuters on Thursday.