The unemployment rate in Macau edged up to 1.9% in the three months ending March 2025 from 1.8% in the previous period, marking the highest reading since May 2024. The number of unemployed individuals increased by 500 to 7,300, while total employment fell by 3,100 to 371,800. The main sectors affected by job losses were gaming, construction, and restaurants & similar activities. Meanwhile, job gains were observed in the wholesale & retail trade and hotels & similar activities. The labor force participation rate declined to 61.1% from 61.7% in the prior period

Macau Jobless Rate Rises to 1.9% in Jan-March

Profits of China's industrial firms expanded by 0.8% yoy to CNY 1,509.36 billion in the first three months of 2025, recovering from a 0.3% increase in the first two months of 2025, amid further stimulus measures from Beijing.

China Industrial Profits Rise 0.8% in Q1

The Ibovespa edged 0.1% higher to close at 134,739 on Friday, as investors absorbed fresh inflation figures, evolving global trade developments and a batch of underwhelming earnings. Industrial champion WEG and meat producers JBS and BRF led the advance, rising between 2.1% and 4.4%, while mining behemoth Vale slid 2.4% after reporting a 17% year-on-year drop in first-quarter profits. April’s IPCA-15 mid-month gauge rose 5.49% year-on-year—in line with expectations but still elevated—and reinforced bets that Copom will press on with further rate hikes and maintain tight financing conditions. Simultaneously, tentative signs of U.S.–China tariff rollbacks failed to dispel broader uncertainty, keeping many investors sidelined. Despite Friday’s modest gains, the Ibovespa finished the week up 3.9%.

Ibovespa Edges Higher on Friday

The S&P/TSX Composite Index fell 0.3% to close at 24,711 mark on Friday, as heavyweight mining names on the resource-heavy exchange came under pressure amid lingering uncertainty over U.S.–China tariff talks. Bullion-linked stocks led the retreat: Agnico Eagle dipped 0.8% after gold prices pulled back sharply despite the miner nearly doubling first-quarter profits on robust output and lower costs, while Wheaton Precious, Barrick Gold and Franco-Nevada slid between 0.6% and 1.8%. Tech shares proved more resilient—Shopify jumped 2.2%, cushioning the broader downturn. Economically, retail sales fell 0.4% in February, underscoring how higher borrowing costs are straining domestic demand. Traders also wrestled with mixed trade-war cues—reports that China might suspend its 125% tariffs on certain U.S. goods were quickly denied by Beijing even as President Trump asserted talks were ongoing—leaving investors cautious. Despite Friday’s pullback, the TSX posted a 2.1% weekly gain.

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Macau Jobless Rate Rises to 1.9% in Jan-March

China Industrial Profits Rise 0.8% in Q1

Ibovespa Edges Higher on Friday

TSX Edges Lower as Mining Stocks Drop