In April, China’s service sector experienced its slowest growth in seven months, according to the latest private-sector survey. This slowdown is a significant indicator of the current economic landscape in the country, as it highlights the growing uncertainty that businesses face, particularly in light of the ongoing trade tensions with the United States. The Caixin/S&P Global Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) showed a drop to 50.7 from 51.9 in March, marking the lowest reading since September. As the services sector struggles, new orders also showed signs of deceleration. In this article, we analyze the causes behind this slowdown, its potential consequences, and what it means for the broader Chinese economy.

Over the past few weeks, the economic landscape in the United Kingdom has demonstrated steady signs of optimism, even against a backdrop of global market challenges. Recent survey data indicate a boost in business confidence, paving the way for a gradual recovery as we approach 2025. While domestic indicators point to constructive movement—particularly in the retail sector—global market metrics remind us that caution remains essential.