Chinese Retail Sales YoY (Apr) Y/Y 0.2% vs Exp. 2.0% (Prev. 1.7%)

Newsquawk Staff · 18 May 2026, 02:20 UTC

What it means

The weaker-than-expected Chinese retail sales growth at 0.2% significantly misses the 2.0% forecast, indicating potential headwinds for consumer spending in China. This underperformance suggests a cautionary outlook for economic growth and may influence the PBoC's policy stance moving forward, adding pressure on risk sentiment across markets.

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US Market Open, 23 Oct, 10:15 UTC · what it led with

US President Trump says the US crushed Iran, and may want to do it a "little more".
Crude benchmarks firmer on ongoing tensions in the Middle East; recent bout of strength comes after the Houthis launched another missile towards Saudi interests.

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Australian Employment Change (Jul) -15.8K vs. Exp. 15K (Prev. 76.3K)
AUD/USD−0.3%
Iran and US talks continue, and reports that the deal is close are wrong.
WTI crude+1.5%
Mediation efforts said that "Qatar and Pakistan presented a 'compromise proposal' that meets the demands of both the American and Iranian sides", Al Araby Al Jadeed reports citing sources.
WTI crude−4.6%

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