This Month
Weak consumption drags on China as Trump tariff threat looms
Weaker retail figures come despite a boost from online shopping promotions and government-subsidised trade-in programs that have lifted sales in some sectors.
- Kevin Yao and Ethan Wang
China slowdown to rip $8.5b from federal budget: Chalmers
The treasurer’s downbeat assessment came despite Beijing last week announcing plans to stoke the country’s slowing economy next year with a “moderately loose” monetary policy.
- Ronald Mizen
- Analysis
- Xi Jinping
China’s ‘bazooka’ stimulus will have to wait - again
Beijing says “vigorous” efforts to boost domestic consumption are the country’s top economic priority, but details are once again lacking.
- Updated
- Jessica Sier
The four charts that show what’s wrong with China’s economy
Key indicators reveal the challenges facing Chinese policymakers as they gather to deal with the task of balancing short-term stimulus with longer-term reforms.
- Updated
- Jessica Sier
October
Rio Tinto considers iron ore strategy shift
Rio Tinto is reviewing its iron ore product strategy after low-grade volumes accounted for 19 per cent of sales. Analysts say investors should be concerned.
- Updated
- Peter Ker
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Why China is hesitant to fire its stimulus bazooka
China bulls want stimulus, and quick. But three big roadblocks stand in the way.
- James Thomson
August
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Australia’s iron ore future is different, not dead
There’s plenty of red dirt in Fortescue’s results – which makes it a bit different to its two big rivals. Andrew Forrest is in China trying to work it out.
- Anthony Macdonald
July
China cuts key interest rate after Xi’s top meet disappoints
China surprised markets with interest rate cuts on Monday, in efforts to boost growth in the world’s second-largest economy.
- Jessica Sier
Luxury brands roll out huge discounts as Chinese rein in spending
The sales are being offered primarily by aspirational brands such as Versace and Burberry, as China’s once-voracious middle-class consumers become more frugal.
- Annachiara Biondi and Thomas Hale
China’s GDP miss set to boost stimulus calls from Third Plenum
China-watchers and investors are doubtful the Third Plenum policy gathering in Beijing will throw up any comprehensive reform.
- Jessica Sier
June
- Opinion
- Inside China
China’s banks feel the sting as problem loans mount
China’s deepening housing market crisis is eroding the balance sheets of the country’s largest state banks.
- Karen Maley
China’s broken housing market and a generation ‘lying flat’
While wallets were open at last weekend’s national Dragon Boat Festival, Chinese consumers are still not spending enough to get the economy out of its housing hole.
- Jessica Sier
- Analysis
- Analysis
Why won’t Xi Jinping fix China’s dreadful economy?
Explanations for Beijing’s refusal to work on deep-seated problems include denial, ignorance and ideology.
- Scott Kennedy
April
Why China’s slowing economy is Australia’s problem
This week on The Fin podcast, North Asia correspondent Michael Smith talks about the changes in China over the past six years and what its slowing economy means for Australian prosperity.
March
- Opinion
- Investing
Two ETFs for investors looking to tap bargains in China recovery
There is no telling if the Chinese sharemarket crash is over, but smart investors know that in carnage can lie opportunity.
- James Weir
BHP’s Mike Henry argues Chinese steelmakers deserve a break
Big miners are facing pressure to detail their investments into green steel and reduce their scope three emissions. But Chinese smelters as a whole are more efficient than the EU’s.
- Ayesha de Kretser
Copper spikes on huge volumes as smelters weigh cuts
Copper spiked to an 11-month high after Chinese smelters pledged to explore measures to cope with a plunge in processing fees.
- Updated
- Mark Burton
Iron ore under pressure as China’s steel mills cut output, prices
China’s steel mills are cutting production as they struggle with rising costs and weak demand, compounding challenges for iron ore demand.
- Updated
- Michael Smith
February
- Opinion
- Global economy
Optimists about China bouncing back are just hoping
The problem is that China isn’t just another member of the global community and bad economic policy is not punished at the ballot box.
- Adrian Blundell-Wignall
Deflation, property dampen Chinese New Year cheer
China’s Lunar holiday travel data is being closely scrutinised for signs of consumer weakness and deflation as China’s Year of the Dragon begins.
- Michael Smith