U.S. corporate profits fell significantly in the first quarter of 2025, dropping 118.1 billion U.S. dollars following a 204.7 billion U.S. dollars increase in the previous quarter, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Data released by the bureau on Thursday showed that consumer spending, the main driver of economic growth, grew by only 1.2 percent in the first quarter, significantly below previous expectations.
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US corporate profits drop 118.1 bln USD in Q1
US corporate profits drop 118.1 bln USD in Q1
US corporate profits drop 118.1 bln USD in Q1
US corporate profits drop 118.1 bln USD in Q1
The decline in automobile sales, along with reduced spending on services such as health-care and insurance, showed underlying weakness in consumer demand, said the bureau.
The U.S. government's tariff policies have led several American companies, including retail giant Walmart, to warn that consumers may soon see price increases.
US corporate profits drop 118.1 bln USD in Q1
US corporate profits drop 118.1 bln USD in Q1
US corporate profits drop 118.1 bln USD in Q1
US corporate profits drop 118.1 bln USD in Q1
China's e-commerce sector maintained a positive momentum of innovation-driven development in the first eight months of 2026, with online retail sales of goods and services rising 4.6 percent year on year, the Ministry of Commerce said on Sunday.
The ministry estimates the sector's growth helped drive a 1.3-percent increase in the country's total retail sales of goods and services, which rose by 2.5 percent in the period.
Specifically, retail sales of digital and health-related products grew rapidly in the eight-month period. Data showed that online retail sales of cellphones and outdoor apparel rose 6.8 percent and 6.9 percent, respectively.
With the deep integration of instant retail and online services creating new consumption scenarios, online retail sales of both tourism and life services maintained double-digit growth from January to August.
As the authorities continue to promote e-commerce in rural areas, online retail sales of agricultural products increased by 12.5 percent in the period.
Meanwhile, China's Silk Road E-commerce cooperation has expanded to include 38 partner countries, diversifying offerings in the domestic consumer market with premium products.
In the first eight months, online retail sales of Kazakh camel milk, Kenyan coffee beans and Argentinian steak all maintained robust growth, data showed.
China’s online retail sales of goods, services up 4.6 pct in 1st eight months
