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In the United Kingdom, economic growth stalled in January, with output remaining flat compared to the previous month.
Weak performance in several service sectors offset gains in retail and wholesale trade, reinforcing concerns about the pace of economic recovery.
Asia and global industry developments
Across Asia, market movements were shaped by both global energy concerns and domestic economic developments. Japanese equities declined during the week as investors reacted to rising oil prices and the potential impact on the country’s import-dependent energy supply.
Japan relies heavily on oil imports from the Middle East, making it particularly sensitive to disruptions in the region.
In response to these risks, the Japanese government announced plans to release part of its strategic oil reserves to help stabilise supply and reduce the impact of rising fuel costs.
Subsidies aimed at limiting increases in domestic gasoline prices were also introduced. Meanwhile, the yield on Japan’s 10-year government bond moved higher as a weaker yen raised concerns about the rising cost of imported goods, particularly energy.
Japan’s currency continued to weaken against the U.S. dollar, approaching levels that previously prompted government intervention. Officials reiterated that authorities are prepared to take necessary action to stabilise the currency.
China presented a more mixed picture. While some equity markets declined, the country reported stronger-than-expected export growth, supported by global demand for technology and electronics products linked to the growing artificial intelligence sector. Consumer inflation also accelerated to its fastest pace in more than three years.
The rapid development of artificial intelligence technologies, including new autonomous AI systems capable of executing tasks independently, is generating significant investor interest. These innovations are increasingly shaping technology markets and may represent the next major phase in global digital transformation.
Looking ahead
Global markets faced a volatile week as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East drove uncertainty in energy prices and investor sentiment. U.S. markets declined amid persistent inflation concerns and slower economic growth, while European data highlighted uneven economic activity across the region.
In Asia, Japan remained sensitive to energy and currency pressures, while China’s strong export growth and advances in artificial intelligence continued to attract investor attention. Overall, markets remain focused on geopolitical developments, inflation trends, and the outlook for global economic growth.
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