Key Takeaways from CEWC Readout — Cushion, Don't Lift Industry Overview - The report focuses on the **China Economics** sector, providing insights into the macroeconomic environment and policy direction for 2026. Core Insights and Arguments - **GDP Forecast**: The 2026 GDP forecast remains unchanged at **4.8% real** and approximately **4.1% nominal**. The emphasis is on "less deflation, not reflation" [5] - **Fiscal Policy**: The initial fiscal envelope is flat compared to 2025, with a front-loaded issuance strategy allowing for a potential **0.5 percentage point** GDP top-up midyear [5] - **Monetary Policy**: A dovish bias is indicated, with limited interest rate cuts expected in the range of **10–20 basis points** [5] - **Growth Drivers**: Public capital expenditure and urban renewal, along with advancements in AI and green transitions, are identified as key growth anchors. However, private capital expenditure remains weak [5] - **Housing Market**: There are plans for inventory buy-ups and mortgage subsidies, likely through reforms in the provident fund, though the specifics regarding scope, size, and duration are unclear [5] - **Anti-involution Measures**: A stronger push towards a unified national market, state-owned enterprise (SOE) reform, and stricter subsidy regulations are noted, although execution challenges are anticipated [5] - **Policy Style**: The approach is characterized by cushioning rather than lifting, focusing on continuity rather than a pivot in policy [5] - **Supply and Demand Mix**: The current policy mix remains supply-centric with a slight nudge towards demand, emphasizing the need to "expand domestic demand + optimize supply" [5] - **Consumption Initiatives**: Ongoing goods trade-in programs and vague plans for service vouchers and social welfare support are highlighted, with a watch on developments in the second half of the year [5] - **2026 Outlook**: The year is expected to be a "slow burn" with small, reactive policy steps aimed at stabilizing activity and prices [5] - **Base Toolkit**: The toolkit includes front-loaded infrastructure investments via local government special bonds, housing guardrails with optional mortgage interest subsidies, and selective service consumption adjustments in the latter half of 2026 [5] - **Execution Watchpoints**: Key areas to monitor include the pace of fiscal issuance, design of mortgage subsidies, inventory purchase mechanisms, and progress on anti-involution and market unification efforts [5] Additional Important Points - The report emphasizes the importance of execution in fiscal and monetary policies, indicating that the effectiveness of these measures will be critical in achieving the desired economic outcomes [5] - The overall sentiment reflects a cautious optimism, with a focus on gradual improvements rather than aggressive policy shifts [5]

Core Points - The Federal Reserve voted to lower the benchmark rate by 25 basis points, marking the most divided Fed since before the pandemic with three dissents for the first time since 2019 [1] - Six members of the committee indicated opposition to lowering rates, with a hawkish tone in the statement regarding future adjustments to the target range [2] - The committee's statement noted moderate economic expansion, with a consensus GDP forecast of 1.7% for this year and an upward revision for 2026 to 2.3% [4] Economic Indicators - Unemployment is projected to finish this year at 4.5%, with a slight decrease to 4.4% next year, reflecting a slowdown in job gains [4] - Inflation remains elevated but is expected to slow significantly next year, with the PCE headline forecast decreasing from 2.9% this year to 2.4% in 2026 [5] - The Fed does not anticipate reaching its 2% inflation target until 2028, with Core PCE expected to finish at 3% in that year [6] Balance Sheet Management - The Fed's reserve balances have declined to ample levels, and it plans to purchase shorter-term treasuries, primarily bills, and up to three-year notes as necessary [6] - The first operation for these purchases will be announced tomorrow, with approximately $40 billion in Treasury bills to be bought starting Friday [6]

Group 1: Dollar Index and Economic Indicators - The dollar index (DXY00) increased by +0.25% due to the unexpected rise in the Nov Empire manufacturing general business conditions survey, reaching a 1-year high [1][2] - The Nov Empire manufacturing survey rose by +8.0 to a level of 18.7, significantly stronger than the expected decline to 5.8 [2] - The probability of a Fed rate cut at the upcoming FOMC meeting decreased to 41% from 70% earlier in the month, influenced by comments from Fed presidents favoring steady interest rates [1][3] Group 2: Euro and ECB Insights - The EUR/USD pair declined by -0.30% as the euro faced pressure from a stronger dollar and comments from ECB Vice President Luis de Guindos regarding elevated financial stability risks in the Eurozone [4][6] - The European Commission raised its 2025 Eurozone GDP forecast to +1.3% from +0.9%, while maintaining the inflation forecast at +2.1% [5] - The ECB is perceived to be nearing the end of its rate-cut cycle, contrasting with the Fed's expected rate cuts through the end of 2026 [5] Group 3: Japanese Economy and Yen Performance - The USD/JPY pair increased by +0.21% as the yen was pressured by news of a significant contraction in the Japanese economy in Q3, prompting discussions for an ambitious stimulus package [7] - An upward revision to Japan's September industrial production provided some support for the yen [7] - The yield on the 10-year Japanese government bond rose to a 17-year high of 1.737%, which is supportive for the yen [7]

Welcome to a new episode of the opening bid podcast. I'm Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sazi. Like I always say, this is a podcast will make you a smarter investor, period.And you're going to get smarter on all things uh economy here at this very pivotal moment for the US economy. Joining me now is Visa chief economist Wayne Best. Wayne, good to see you.It's been a while. Last time I saw you in our Yahoo headquarters in New York City, it came with a bunch of charts and tables. So, um, welcome back.App ...

Investment Rating - The report raises the real GDP growth forecast for China to 4.6% in 2025 and 3.8% in 2026, up from previous estimates of 4.0% and 3.5% respectively [1][10][19] Core Insights - The US-China trade talks resulted in larger-than-expected tariff rollbacks, with US tariffs on Chinese goods dropping to 30% for an initial 90 days, significantly reducing the previous tariff burden [2][8] - The effective US tariff rate on China is estimated to be around 39%, down from 107% previously, while China's effective tariff rate on the US is around 30%, down from 144% [2][10] - The report anticipates that Chinese real exports will be roughly flat in 2025/26, a significant improvement from the previous forecast of a -5% annual decline [1][10] Summary by Sections Economic Impact - The report indicates that the tariff rollbacks will lead to a smaller drag on China's growth, resulting in less demand for domestic policy easing than previously expected [8][10] - The net export contribution to China's GDP growth is now expected to be +0.1 percentage points, compared to a previous expectation of -0.5 percentage points [10] Policy Adjustments - Monetary policy easing expectations have been adjusted to only one 10 basis point cut in Q4 2025, down from two cuts previously anticipated [1][10] - The augmented fiscal deficit estimate for China has been lowered to 13.0% of GDP for 2025, down from 13.5% [1][10][16] Growth Forecast Revisions - The report raises sequential growth forecasts for Q2 and H2 2025, resulting in a 0.9 percentage point increase on a Q4/Q4 basis [10][19] - The revised forecasts for China's GDP growth reflect a more stable outlook amid ongoing trade negotiations, with balanced risks primarily surrounding US-China trade relations [9][10]