China's economy lost momentum at the start of the second half, with industrial output and retail sales slowing as extreme weather disruptions and persistently weak domestic demand renew pressure on policymakers to step up stimulus.

Economic activity cooled as surging exports fueled by the AI boom failed to offset weakness in domestic demand.

China’s industrial output softened last month and consumer spending was muted, underlining the pressure on the country’s top leadership to fulfil promises to accelerate fiscal stimulus spending. Industrial output expanded 4.

The data is reinforcing concerns about the health of the world's second-largest economy, which has grappled with a deepening supply-demand imbalance.

Both contracts gained more than 5% ​last week following attacks on tankers ⁠in the Hormuz strait and on a Saudi Aramco refinery.

Both contracts gained more than 5% last week following attacks on tankers operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in the Hormuz strait and on a Saudi Aramco refinery.

Oil prices were little changed in early Monday trading as shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz slowed sharply over the weekend, while the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran showed no signs

The U.S. and Iran remain in a stalemate as the 60-day negotiation period expires, and access to the Strait of Hormuz remains unclear. Emily Peck, a markets correspondent for Axios, joins with more.

The Japanese economy managed to notch a third straight quarter of growth, but weaker spending slowed the pace of expansion, potentially complicating matters for the central bank.

Japan’s economy grew an annualized rate of 1.1% in the April-June quarter, even as private consumption stayed flat and the growth of exports declined

Japan's economy grew 1.1% in Q2, marking a second consecutive quarter of expansion but missing forecasts. Growth was hit by weak business investment and household spending, linked to the fallout from the West Asia conflict.

Japan’s economy grew an annual rate of 1.1 per cent in the April-June quarter even as private consumption stayed flat and the growth of exports declined, according to government data released Monday.