China's economy grew more than expected in the first quarter but the war in the Middle East darkens prospects due to supply side shocks and its heavy reliance on energy imports.
Gross domestic product expanded 5.0 percent on a yearly basis in the first quarter, the National Bureau of Statistics reported Thursday. The annual growth exceeded the prior quarter's 4.5 percent expansion and also economists' forecast of 4.8 percent.
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April 17, 2026 15:29 ET The ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to raise concerns for policymakers who worry about the impact of the supply shock and high energy prices on the real economy. Producer price data and various survey results on the housing market were the main news from the U.S. this week. In Europe, industrial production data for the euro area gained attention. GDP figures out of China and the policy move by the Singapore central bank were in focus in Asia.