China's industrial economy has made steady progress over the year of 2025, with value-added industrial output, an important economic indicator, expected to grow by 5.9 percent year on year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Friday.
Data shows that from January to November, the value-added industrial output of high-tech manufacturing and equipment manufacturing were up by 9.2 percent and 9.3 percent year on year, respectively.
In the meantime, the total volume of telecommunications services and software business revenue grew by about 9 percent and 12 percent respectively compared to those of last year.
"Six industries, including electrical and mechanical equipment, contributed 58.2 percent to industrial growth. Among the ten major industrial provinces, nine recorded growth indices higher than the national average. From January to November, industrial investment increased by 4 percent year on year, with manufacturing investment rising by 1.9 percent," said Li Lecheng, Minister of Industry and Information Technology, at a national conference on industry and information technology on Friday.
Li also highlighted several key focuses for next year's work, such as enhancing industrial scientific and technological innovation capacity, fostering and expanding emerging and future industries, as well as forging new pillar industries like integrated circuits, new materials, aerospace, low-altitude economy and biomedicine.
In addition, upgrading traditional sector is another priority, he noted.
"By promoting innovative models such as personalization and shared manufacturing, we will work to cultivate a number of leading service-oriented manufacturing brands. This will enable traditional industries to rejuvenate and thrive, as an old tree sprouts new leaves," said Li.
China's industrial output to grow by 5.9 pct in 2025
China's industrial output to grow by 5.9 pct in 2025
U.S. stocks ended slightly lower on Monday, with modest declines across major benchmarks as investors monitored rising oil prices amid renewed uncertainty in the Middle East.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 0.01 percent to 49,442.56. The S and P 500 sank 0.24 percent to 7,109.14. The Nasdaq Composite Index shed 0.26 percent to 24,404.39.
Six of the 11 primary S and P 500 sectors closed higher, led by materials and financials with gains of 0.56 percent and 0.34 percent, respectively. Communication services and health care were the main laggards, declining 1.41 percent and 0.93 percent, respectively.
Traders remain cautious about pricing in a worst-case scenario for the ongoing conflict, even as stocks have recovered from near-correction territory to all-time highs in recent weeks.
Oil prices jumped sharply on Monday. West Texas Intermediate crude for May delivery surged 6.87 percent to settle at 89.61 U.S. dollars per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for June delivery gained 5.64 percent to settle at 95.48 dollars per barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.
While investors continue to monitor developments in the Middle East, attention is expected to gradually shift back to fundamental factors, according to Scott Welch, chief investment officer at Certuity.
"It is important to remember that the market was not cheap before the war started, and the recent rally has only brought us back slightly past breakeven for the year," he said. "We expect investors will soon once again turn their attention to more fundamental issues -- valuations, earnings potential, inflation, the economy, the labor markets, and Fed policy."
Shares of most of the "Magnificent Seven" technology giants ended lower on Monday. Tesla, which is scheduled to report quarterly results on Wednesday, declined 2.03 percent.
Marvell Technology rose nearly 6 percent to an all-time high after a report over the weekend said the chipmaker was in talks to design new custom artificial intelligence chips for Google.
U.S. stocks close lower as oil prices surge on renewed Mideast tensions
