Roaring exports lift China’s economic growth; violent French protests put pressure on euro, stocks and bonds – business live

China’s economy grew by 4.5% year on year in the third quarter, beating economists’ expectations as strong exports and factory output offset weak domestic demand. The figures put China on course to meet its 2026 growth target without additional stimulus, but the gap between production and household spending leaves it reliant on overseas buyers.

GDP growth rose from 4.3% in the second quarter, while industrial production increased 5.5% in September and retail sales grew 1.1%. Fixed-asset investment fell 7.2% in the first nine months of the year, including a 20.6% drop in property investment. Separately, escalating protests in France coincided with a weaker euro and a rise in French bond yields: the 10-year yield reached 4.842%, and the euro slipped 0.2% to $1.1218.