Business News
Latest business news and updates
Total: 2066
China’s Modest Ambition: Why Beijing Set a 4.5–5% Growth Target — and Left Room to Do Better
China set a 2026 GDP growth target of 4.5–5%, coupled with a government pledge to “strive for better results.” The two‑line formulation balances room for structural reform and risk reduction with a readiness to deploy active, targeted policies to lift growth if conditions allow.
Beijing Ties Housing Support to Family Policy — Newlyweds and New Parents Prioritised in 2026 Plan
Beijing’s 2026 government work report links housing stabilisation to family policy by pledging targeted housing guarantees for newly married and newly childbearing households and continued support for multi‑child families. The plan combines supply reforms, activation of unsold inventory, provident‑fund changes and stronger delivery guarantees to shore up demand and align housing policy with demographic objectives.
Jack Ma Reappears as Alibaba Scrambles to Close an AI Gap
Jack Ma has increased his public presence as Alibaba mounts an aggressive campaign to catch up in the AI race, convening senior leaders while the company pours over RMB 3 billion into marketing and releases the Qwen3.5 model. The effort confronts persistent gaps against rivals in user metrics and has been complicated by the sudden resignation of lead model developer Lin Junyang, exposing tensions between product science and growth targets.
Why Electric Cars Won’t Fully Shield You from Rising Oil Prices
Rising crude prices from geopolitical tensions affect more than fuel bills: petrochemical inputs and natural gas feedstocks are embedded across food, clothing, construction and maintenance supply chains. Driving an electric car reduces exposure to petrol but does not eliminate dependence on oil‑derived materials, so consumers still feel price shocks indirectly.
China Keeps Deficit Ratio at About 4% While Adding Long‑dated Bonds — A Measured Push to Start the 15th Five‑Year Plan
China will keep its fiscal deficit target at about 4% of GDP for 2026 while raising the nominal deficit to 5.89 trillion yuan and issuing 1.3 trillion yuan of ultra‑long sovereign bonds. The package aims to provide measured stimulus to kick‑start the 15th Five‑Year Plan, combining infrastructure and new‑economy investment with greater social spending, while managing central leverage.
From Overnight Riches to a Margin Squeeze: Why Xiami’s (Xiaomi) Rally Has Turned Into Investor Anxiety
Xiaomi’s early 2026 euphoria has faded as the company faces a squeeze from sharply higher memory-chip prices, intensified domestic competition from Huawei, and softer demand for its EVs and handsets. Multiple brokerages have cut targets and earnings forecasts, and the stock has fallen nearly 47% from recent highs, raising broader questions about margins and strategy.
Bank of England to Model an 'AI Shock' and Weigh It in Bank Stress Tests
The Bank of England will run a scenario exercise to assess how a rapid, disruptive wave of AI adoption could trigger widespread unemployment and business failures and is considering including the findings in bank stress tests. The exercise aims to quantify credit and capital risks from a potential surge in household and corporate defaults, while forcing banks and regulators to confront difficult modelling and policy choices.
MicroLED and Compute Stocks Drive Broad Advance on China’s Growth Board as Rally Narrows into Close
China’s markets rallied on Thursday as microLED, computing‑power leasing and power‑grid equipment stocks led a broad advance, pushing nearly 4,100 stocks higher and lifting turnover to about RMB 2.39 trillion. Gains were trimmed late in the session, however, highlighting rapid sector rotation and elevated short‑term volatility.
China Sets a Modest 4.5–5% Growth Target for 2026, Signalling Caution and Flexibility
Beijing set a moderately conservative economic growth target of 4.5–5% for 2026, signalling a policy stance that prioritises stability, debt control and targeted support over broad stimulus. The range gives authorities room to act if risks materialize while emphasising structural reforms and employment stability.
When Safe Havens Fail: Why the Yen Slid as Nikkei Plunged and Oil Soared
A spike in Iran-related geopolitical risk pushed oil prices sharply higher and sent the Nikkei tumbling, but rather than strengthening, the yen weakened — exposing Japan’s acute reliance on imported energy, fragile fiscal space and constrained monetary options. Policymakers face a painful choice between defending the currency, supporting households against fuel pain, or preserving an already tentative recovery.
Tech Lift Fuels Market Rally as Oil Holds Flat — China Readies Policy Signals Amid Geopolitical Jitters
Global equities rose as technology shares led gains, while oil settled nearly flat despite Middle East tensions that have already prompted shipping carriers to pause bookings. In China attention shifts to the NPC session and a State Council briefing that could set policy support; meanwhile, market infrastructure and tech developments — from 24/7 bank‑to‑broker transfers to cheaper AI video generation — are quietly reshaping investment dynamics.
Seoul Halts Algorithmic Trading on KOSPI After Sudden Market Swing
South Korea briefly halted algorithmic trading on the KOSPI on 5 March 2026 after sharp market swings. The pause reflects a trade-off between curbing disorderly automated flows and preserving intraday liquidity, and may prompt regulatory review of trading controls.