China

China’s industrial companies have reported an increase in profits in the first two months of the year. The 10.2% YoY profit growth in January-February, following double-digit increases in four of the last five months of 2023, contrasts with a 2.3% decline in profits for the entire year due to earlier downturns. Despite the recovery, deflationary pressures and challenges such as the property slump and weak domestic demand persist.