China retail sales grow 4.8% despite property slump
China reported strong retail sales growth of 4.8% YoY in October, surpassing expectations, while industrial production rose by 5.3%, falling short of forecasts. Despite a rise in fixed asset investment by 3.4%, real estate investment declined by 10.3%, deepening the sector’s slump. However, a slight improvement in new property sales was noted. Unemployment decreased to 5%, with youth unemployment falling to 17.6%.