China’s industrial profits rose sharply in the first two months of 2026, helped by stronger manufacturing and easing cost pressure. Profits at major industrial firms increased 15.2% year on year in the January-to-February period, according to data released Friday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Revenue also grew faster than in 2025, as factory output picked up and producer prices recov...
China’s industrial profits rose sharply in the first two months of 2026, helped by stronger manufacturing and easing cost pressure. Profits at major industrial firms increased 15.2% year on year in the January-to-February period, according to data released Friday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Revenue also grew faster than in 2025, as factory output picked up and producer prices recovered, Yu Weining, a statistician with the NBS's industrial department, wrote in an analysis of the data.
aluxum/E+ via Getty Images Stock index futures were higher before the bell as U.S. President Donald Trump extended the pause on attacks against Iran’s energy infrastructure into April. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures ( INDU ) rose 0.24%, S&P 500 futures ( SPX ) advanced 0.28%, and Nasdaq 100 futures ( US100:IND ) climbed 0.35%. Trump described talks with Tehran as “going very well.” However, ...
aluxum/E+ via Getty Images Stock index futures were higher before the bell as U.S. President Donald Trump extended the pause on attacks against Iran’s energy infrastructure into April. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures ( INDU ) rose 0.24%, S&P 500 futures ( SPX ) advanced 0.28%, and Nasdaq 100 futures ( US100:IND ) climbed 0.35%. Trump described talks with Tehran as “going very well.” However, an Iranian official dismissed a reported U.S. proposal to end the conflict as “one-sided and unfair.” Treasury yields edged higher across the curve. The 10-year Treasury yield ( US10Y ) added 2.8 basis points to 4.45%, while the 2-year yield ( US2Y ) rose 1.5 basis points to 4.02%. The 30-year yield ( US30Y ) climbed 3.3 basis points to 4.97%. Consumer sentiment is on the economic calendar for the day. Fed speak features Richmond Federal Reserve Bank President Thomas Barkin, San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly, and Philadelphia Fed President Anna Paulson. Top S&P 500 gainers in premarket trading included Universal Health Services ( UHS ) +3.41%, Qnity Electronics ( Q ) +2.75%, and Pentair ( PNR ) +2.31%. Decliners included Nordson ( NDSN ) -14.85%, Tyson Foods ( TSN ) -2.21%, and Huntington Ingalls Industries ( HII ) -2.00% More on markets The Trump Skepticism Trade Pay To Play In The Strait Of Hormuz The U.S. Labor Market Confounds With Its Countercurrents; It May Be The New Normal Labor Market Next phase of Iran trade: checking the tape before the tweet?
bgwalker/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images Investment overview I wrote about Ross Stores ( ROST ) previously with an upgrade to a buy rating as I saw multiple points of positive inflection, namely, traffic, core demand, and execution. I reiterate a buy rating as demand is stronger, merchandise strength is broader across the store, and we are seeing better fixed cost leverage. On top of that, mana...
bgwalker/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images Investment overview I wrote about Ross Stores ( ROST ) previously with an upgrade to a buy rating as I saw multiple points of positive inflection, namely, traffic, core demand, and execution. I reiterate a buy rating as demand is stronger, merchandise strength is broader across the store, and we are seeing better fixed cost leverage. On top of that, management is confident about opening more stores, which should help with driving earnings growth. Demand inflection Bloomberg I believe the biggest reason for one to stay bullish is that the demand has gotten stronger. Using the latest reported figures, in Q4, ROST delivered 12% sales growth with a 9% comp on top of a 3% comp last year. On a two-year stacked basis, Q4 was the fastest-growing quarter in recent history. Importantly, the comp was driven mainly by transactions and customers (which means volume), while basket (pricing) only contributed modestly. This is a much more durable growth driver since volume growth is the cleanest indication of healthy underlying demand. Also remember that this was despite ROST going through the January storms, which impacted comp by ~100 bps. On a like-for-like basis, comp would have been 10%, which is a recent record. So, clearly, the underlying demand trend is strong. Then there is the Q1 2026 guide. Management guided to a 7% to 8% comp for Q1, and management made clear they had not changed their conservative approach. What they meant was they had not included any potential benefits from the upcoming tax refunds (which should boost the consumer discretionary budget). This suggests that ROST could potentially beat its own guidance. The demand strength was also broad-based across income and age demographics, including customers aged 18 to 34. Overall, I think the evidence points to a very strong demand environment, and ROST is capitalizing on it. Broad-based merchandise strength and fixed-cost leverage In my previous update, I highlighted ...
Volkswagen's software partnership with Rivian, a cornerstone of CEO Oliver Blume's turnaround strategy for the German auto group, has passed a key milestone, bringing the U.S. partner closer to its next tranche of funding. Winter tests of the first vehicles using the software have been successfully completed, Volkswagen said on Friday. "We're accelerating towards the future," Blume said.
Volkswagen's software partnership with Rivian, a cornerstone of CEO Oliver Blume's turnaround strategy for the German auto group, has passed a key milestone, bringing the U.S. partner closer to its next tranche of funding. Winter tests of the first vehicles using the software have been successfully completed, Volkswagen said on Friday. "We're accelerating towards the future," Blume said.
Since March, places including Shanghai and Henan province have rolled out a series of policy measures aimed at improving employment support for senior citizens and safeguarding the rights and interests of overage workers. Photo: VCG Faced with a steadily deepening demographic crisis, Chinese cities are increasingly looking to transform their aging populations into a “demographic dividend” to allev...
Since March, places including Shanghai and Henan province have rolled out a series of policy measures aimed at improving employment support for senior citizens and safeguarding the rights and interests of overage workers. Photo: VCG Faced with a steadily deepening demographic crisis, Chinese cities are increasingly looking to transform their aging populations into a “demographic dividend” to alleviate social pension burdens and plug structural urban labor shortages. During the annual parliamentary meetings in March, Liu Dechun, director of the social development department at the National Development and Reform Commission, voiced support for older citizens looking to remain active. He called for age-friendly upgrades to public facilities, the expansion of diverse job opportunities tailored for the elderly, and the optimization of age limits in employment and social security. He also urged the deepening of a “Silver Age Action” initiative to create better conditions for elderly social participation.