China Grows At Slowest Pace In 25 Years

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW, RIGHT NOW. #IBTPulse   China Grows At Slowest Pace In 25 Years The world's second-largest economy grew 6.9 percent last year as it wrestled with slowing exports, signs that domestic demand may have peaked, and uncertainty over the government's policies for tackling a slump in its stock markets. Fourth-quarter growth, at 6.8 percent, was the slowest in six years — a sign that growth momentum slowed further at the end of last year. Tech, Banking Titans To Report Q4 Earnings Expectations are downbeat for major U.S. financial institutions Morgan Stanley and Bank of America — analysts expect both to report earnings down on the same period last year. In addition, there is concern that streaming giant Netflix , which also reports Tuesday, has not grown its domestic user base at the rate that the company or investors want. IBM also reports Tuesday. IMF Cuts Global Growth Forecast The global economy is expected to grow at 3.4 percent in 2016 and at 3.6 percent in 2017, the global lender said in its World Economic Outlook Report released Tuesday. The numbers for both years are 0.2 percentage points lower than what the body had estimated in its October 2015 report. The advanced economies are projected to grow at 2.1 percent in 2016 and 2017, 0.2 percentage points faster than they grew in 2015. Iran To Get $32B Of Unfrozen Assets The Islamic Republic will receive the assets after international sanctions against the country were lifted over the weekend, Iranian central bank Chief Valiollah Seif said Tuesday. An estimated $100 billion of the country’s assets have been frozen after the international community enforced sanctions over Iran’s disputed nuclear program. HERE'S WHAT YOU MISSED LAST NIGHT. Major Multinationals Face Accusations On Child Labor A report from Amnesty International accuses companies, including Apple, Samsung and Sony, of using cobalt in their lithium-ion batteries that was mined in dangerous conditions by children as young as seven. The report accused the companies of “failing to do basic checks,” to ensure suppliers were not using child labor. Spy Agency Named UK's Most Gay-Friendly Employer MI5, Britain's domestic intelligence agency, topped a list compiled by gay rights group Stonewall of the best employers for LGBT staff in the U.K. The survey assessed staff engagement, career development and other factors. Lloyds Banking Group and the National Assembly for Wales rounded out the top three organizations on the list. Pakistan Lifts Ban On YouTube The country officially restored access to YouTube Monday after owner Google created a Pakistan-specific version of the video platform. The country had banned YouTube in September 2012 for carrying a controversial film, “Innocence of Muslims,” which sparked riots across several countries, including Pakistan. China's Meituan-Dianping Raises Over $3.3 Billion The internet titan, akin to a mix of Yelp, Groupon and food delivery, said Tuesday it has raised more than $3.3 billion in a funding round, as the firm takes on a slew of rivals in a fiercely competitive domestic market. A representative declined to disclose details on Meituan-Dianping’s valuation.   7 Hanover Square, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10004 © 2015 IBT Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Please add pulse@ibt-mail.com to your contacts Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy