US stocks are in the firing line if China's economy stalls further | CNN Business (2024)

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Chinese economic activity has hit a soft spot in recent weeks and Hong Kong’s equity markets have flirted with bear territory as a result.

That’s also bad news for US companies with major exposure to China — and a number of S&P 500 companies stand first in the line of fire if the situation worsens.

What’s happening: China’s swift economic reopening in December after three years of severe pandemic restrictions was hailed as a catalyst that would send global growth into overdrive.

Pent-up consumer demand and a resurgence of manufacturing by the world’s second-largest economy is expected to drive about 35% of the world’s growth in 2023, according to recent projections from the International Monetary Fund.

China’s reopening has had positive effects: Factories had their best month in nearly 11 years in February and the country’s economy grew by 4.5% in the first quarter of the year. But recent data shows such positivity may have been short-lived.

Chinese exports fell 7.5% year over year in May as global demand weakened. Recent data shows that China is also contending with worse-than-expected consumer spending, slowing manufacturing and weak home sales. Youth unemployment has hit 20% in urban areas, according to official data, a record high.

Growing geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing have spooked investors, driving market volatility. A recent crackdown on American consulting companies like Bain, Capvision, Mintz Group and Micron Technology (MU) has worried multinational businesses, said US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns on Wednesday.

“Investor views about China remain pessimistic, partly because of skepticism about near-term growth momentum and partly because of worries about the longer-term outlook,” wrote Goldman Sachs analysts in a note on Tuesday.

China, home to more than 1.4 billion people, saw its population drop in 2022 for the first time in more than 60 years. A shrinking population means lower consumption. When Beijing made the announcement in January, global stocks were roiled. The Dow fell by 300 points and the Nasdaq Golden Dragon Index, which follows Chinese firms on American exchanges, fell by 4%.

What it means for markets: US-based companies doing business in China stand to lose if the economy continues on a downward trajectory. Companies like Apple (AAPL), Intel (INTC), Ford (F) and Tesla (TSLA) have large manufacturing ties to the country. Others, like Starbucks (SBUX) and Nike (NKE), rely on Chinese consumers.

Earlier this year, Bank of America (BAC) compiled a list of the S&P 500 companies with the highest exposure to China. Topping the list was Las Vegas Sands (LVS), down nearly 6% this month, with 68% of its sales coming from China.

Qualcomm (QCOM), with a 67% exposure rate to China, issued disappointing forward guidance during earnings last month, citing China’s slow recovery.

Tesla, Intel, Nvidia (NVDA), Wynn Resorts (WYNN) and MGM Resorts (MGM) were also among the 25 S&P 500 companies with the most exposure to China.

Companies that generate more than 50% of sales outside of the United States saw an earnings decline rate of -10.2% in the first quarter of 2023, according to FactSet data. Companies that generated more than 50% of sales inside the United States, however, saw an earnings growth rate of 2.7%.

Meanwhile, Chinese stocks trading in Hong Kong, just barely avoided entering bear territory this month: The Hang Seng index was down 19.6% on May 31 from its January high and the Golden Dragon China Index has fallen 5.6% so far this year.

JD.com (JD), one of the largest Chinese companies trading in the United States, has fallen by nearly 36% this year. Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs Group have both lowered their forecasts for Chinese equity indexes.

The bright side: There’s still potential for upside, say economists.Analysts at Nomura and Barclays forecast Chinese economic growth of almost 8% for the second quarter.

Ayaz Ebrahim, JPMorgan Chase’s emerging markets and Asia Pacific equities portfolio manager, recently said on Bloomberg TV that the bank is adding more shares of Chinese stocks to its portfolio in a bet that the Chinese government will back floundering companies and boost valuations.

Wildfires drive air purifier stocks higher

Wildfires in Canada have smothered large swaths of the United States in a thick plume of toxic smoke, leading to air quality warnings and advisories to stay inside. But fine particles from the smoke can make their way indoors. Air purifiers can be helpful with filtering out the pollution.

Searches on Google have increased 16 fold since Monday, according to Google trends.

Whirlpool (WHR), one of the largest home goods manufacturers in the world, has seen its stock surge 13.2% over the past five days and by 6.4% on Wednesday alone. The company says that its HEPA purifiers can remove up to 99.97% of bad particles from air.

Shares of Carrier Global (CARR), which makes residential and industrial air purifiers and HVAC units, have gained nearly 11% over the past five days.

Johnson Controls (JCI), which has a number of air filters on the market, has also seen its stock price soar. Shares are up by 8.5% over a five-day period.

The air purifier market is poised to grow as climate change increases air pollution and exacerbates breathing difficulties. A Market Insights report forecasts that the industry is expected to grow at an annual compound rate of 10.8% to $2.9 billion by 2025, and $4.8 billion by 2030.

Outdoor air pollution could cause 6 to 9 million premature deaths a year globally by 2060 and cost $2.6 trillion annually because of sick days, increased medical bills and reduced productivity, according to an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report.

Diageo CEO dies at 63 after short illness

Sir Ivan Menezes, who served for a decade as chief executive of the largest spirits maker in the world, has died at age 63 after a short but aggressive illness.

Diageo confirmed Menezes’ death on Wednesday, just two days after the company announced that he was stepping down as CEO following complications from an emergency surgery on an ulcer.

Menezes was born in 1959 in Pune, India. He held UK and US citizenship, as well as overseas citizenship for India. He joined Diageo at its creation in 1997 and became CEO in July 2013. He was knighted in January by King Charles III for services to Business and to Equality. Prior to his illness, he was expected to retire at the end of June. COO Debra Crew, who was set to become CEO on July 1, will take on the role of interim chief executive, effective immediately.

Menezes, who ran the $93 billion company behind Johnnie Walker whiskey, Smirnoff vodka, Guinness and Tanqueray gin, was well known as a champion of diversity in the workplace.

About 40% of Diageo’s senior positions are held by women and 37% of its leaders are ethnically diverse.

“Ivan was undoubtedly one of the finest leaders of his generation,” said Diageo chairman Javier Ferrán in a statement on Wednesday. “Ivan was there at the creation of Diageo and over 25 years, shaped Diageo to become one of the best performing, most trusted and respected consumer companies.”

Under his leadership, Diageo’s market value nearly doubled from $52 billion to $93 billion. Menezes also successfully guided Diageo through the Covid-19 pandemic, delivering a net sales value 36% larger in 2023 than in 2019, Diageo said.

Menezes also served as a non-executive director of Tapestry, chairman of the Council of The Scotch Whisky Association and as a member of the global advisory board of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

US stocks are in the firing line if China's economy stalls further | CNN Business (2024)

FAQs

Why are investors dumping Chinese stocks? ›

Investors trimmed their exposure to China amid economic uncertainty in the country, rising geopolitical tensions and Beijing's crackdown on international consulting firms. The Nasdaq Golden Dragon China Index has lost more than 5% since April 18. Hong Kong's Hang Seng (HSI) Index has also shed 5%.

Will China pass the US? ›

There is still much work to be done to propel China to the top of the world's economy, but it is certainly possible that the Chinese economy can surpass the power of the US by 2050. It may also be too early to make definitive projections of China's future.

Why is the stock market crashing? ›

What Are The Causes? The reasons for the stock market to be down can vary, and various factors can cause it. Some reasons could be based on economic indicators such as rising interest rates, high inflation, or a recession. Political uncertainty, natural disasters, or a crisis in a specific industry could also cause it.

What crashes the stock market? ›

The term stock market crash refers to a sudden and substantial drop in stock prices. Stock market crashes are often the result of several economic factors, including speculation, panic selling, or economic bubbles. They may occur amid the fallout of an economic crisis or major catastrophic event.

What is China stock market doing right now? ›

CNY overview
PairLatest rate
CNYUSD0.1403 USD
52 week range Today 0.14--0.1494--
CNYJPY19.54 JPY
52 week range Today 18.79--19.94--
10 more rows

Is it a good time to invest in Chinese stocks? ›

Invest in China as consumer spending rebounds

Asset managers believe that one of the reasons to invest in China now is because the country has witnessed a steady revival in consumer spending in 2023 so far. “Consumer spending was strong through the Chinese New Year…

How much does the US owe China? ›

Top Foreign Holders of U.S. Debt
RankCountryU.S. Treasury Holdings
1🇯🇵 Japan$1,076B
2🇨🇳 China$867B
3🇬🇧 United Kingdom$655B
4🇧🇪 Belgium$354B
6 more rows
Mar 24, 2023

How long will it take for China to overtake the US? ›

It has become a global expectation that China's total economic size will surpass that of the US in the next decade or so, and as long as China focuses on developing itself well, this result will be achieved naturally.

Is China's economy better than the United States? ›

The U.S. currently has the largest economy in the world by far with $23 trillion in 2021 GDP, according to the World Bank's data, while China has the second-largest GDP at $18 trillion and India the sixth-largest at $3 trillion.

Will stocks recover in 2023? ›

"In the first half of 2023, the S&P 500 is expected to re-test the lows of 2022, but a pivot from the Federal Reserve could drive an asset recovery later in the year, pushing the S&P 500 to 4,200 by year-end," the investment bank said in a research note.

Will housing market crash in 2023? ›

While there's a lot of uncertainty in the real estate market and economy, many experts believe a housing market crash in 2023 is unlikely.

What will the stock market do in 2023? ›

Looking ahead to second-quarter reports, analysts are calling for S&P 500 earnings to fall 6.4% compared to a year ago. Fortunately, analysts are projecting S&P 500 earnings growth will rebound back into positive territory in the second half of 2023.

Is all your money lost if the stock market crashes? ›

No, a stock market crash only indicates a fall in prices where a majority of investors face losses but do not completely lose all the money. The money is lost only when the positions are sold during or after the crash.

What are the worst stocks to invest in? ›

The 7 Worst Stocks to Buy Now
FRCFirst Republic Bank$23.03
ACHRArcher Aviation$2.54
NUVBNuvation Bio$1.64
FFIEFaraday Future Intelligent Electric$0.45
MULNMullen Automotive$0.14
2 more rows
Mar 18, 2023

Can they shut down the stock market? ›

A cross-market trading halt can be triggered at three circuit breaker thresholds—7% (Level 1), 13% (Level 2), and 20% (Level 3). These triggers are set by the markets at point levels that are calculated daily based on the prior day's closing price of the S&P 500 Index.

What is the best stock to buy in China? ›

Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA), Pinduoduo Inc. (NASDAQ:PDD), and Trip.com Group Limited (NASDAQ:TCOM) are three of the best Chinese stocks to buy now according to some of the brightest and most successful money managers in the world.

What is China's equivalent to Dow Jones? ›

Hang Seng Index (HSI)

What is the most valuable stock in China? ›

Tencent

What are 3 Chinese stocks to buy? ›

3 Chinese Stocks to Buy Before They Skyrocket in 2023
BABAAlibaba$81.35
TCEHYTencent$41.64
BYDDFBYD$31.25
May 25, 2023

What is the prediction for China stocks? ›

Goldman Sachs sees China stocks surging as much as 24% by end-2023.

What months do stocks do best? ›

Best time of the year to buy stocks. With the turn of the year comes optimism and new cash infusions, making December and January months that have historically seen stocks rise. April also tends to be a strong month for stocks.

Who owes the United States the most money? ›

Over the past 20 years, Japan and China have owned more US Treasuries than any other foreign nation. Between 2000 and 2022, Japan grew from owning $534 billion to just over $1 trillion, while China's ownership grew from $101 billion to $855 billion.

Who owns most of the US debt? ›

Domestic Holders of Federal Debt

The Federal Reserve, which purchases and sells Treasury securities as a means to influence federal interest rates and the nation's money supply, is the largest holder of such debt.

Which country holds the most U.S. debt? ›

According to usafacts.org, as of January 2023, Japan owned $1.1 trillion in US Treasuries, making it the largest foreign holder of the national debt. The second-largest holder is China, which owned $859 billion of US debt.

Will China overtake the US in technology? ›

The United States and other western countries are losing the race with China to develop advanced technologies and retain talent, with Beijing potentially establishing a monopoly in some areas, a new report has said.

Who has the largest economy in the world? ›

United States of America

What would happen if the US stopped importing from China? ›

This data suggests that if U.S. hypothetically stops buying Chinese goods, China's export will suffer a 18% loss, which accounts for 18%*20% = 3.6% of China's GDP. It is unlikely a 3.6% loss in GDP will collapse the Chinese economy.

Who is richer China or the US? ›

The United States is the richest country in the world with the highest GDP, as of 2021. China is the second richest country in the world with a $17.734 trillion GDP.

Is China overtaking the US as a financial and economic power? ›

On the current trajectory, it will overtake the U.S. within a decade. By the yardstick both the CIA and the IMF judge to be the best metric for comparing national economies – purchasing power parity – China has already surpassed the U.S. to become the world's largest economy.

Is China in a debt crisis? ›

China's $23 Trillion Local Debt Crisis Threatens Xi's Economy - Bloomberg.

Will stocks go back up in 2024? ›

Stocks expected to rise over next year

Through the first quarter of 2024, analysts expect the S&P 500 to climb 8 percent, to 4,289 from 3,970.99 when the survey closed on March 24. That follows a year of optimism in 2022, when each quarterly survey predicted that the market would be higher in a year.

Will stocks bounce back in 2024? ›

One of Wall Street's most vocal bears expects the stock market to fully recover its losses and trade to record highs in 2024. "This is not the end of the world.

What stocks will explode in 2023? ›

Bank of America's Best Growth Stocks of 2023
CompanyForward Sales Growth Next Year
Progressive (PGR)+13.0%
SolarEdge Technologies (SEDG)+22.3%
T-Mobile (TMUS)+3.5%
United Rentals (URI)+4.5%
6 more rows
Jun 1, 2023

Will house prices go down in 2023 usa? ›

Although home prices are expected to improve in the second half of the year, the California median home price is projected to decrease by 5.6 percent to $776,600 in 2023, down from the median price of $822,300 recorded in 2022.

Should I sell my house before the market crashes? ›

Before a recession hits, home prices are typically at an all-time high. This means that selling your home before a recession will result in a higher profit between the purchase price of the real estate and the sale price, which can increase your capital gains taxes.

What happens to my mortgage if the housing market crashes? ›

What happens to my mortgage if the housing market crashes? A housing market crash won't affect your existing fixed-rate mortgage. However, if the value of your home drops below your purchase price, then you'll be making payments that are greater than the worth of your property.

How much will the stock market go up in 2023? ›

Stocks could soar 10% by mid-2023, but investors should expect a decade of flat markets after that, major investment bank says. Traders at the New York Stock Exchange on Jan. 3, 2023.

Is 2023 a good year to invest in stocks? ›

Yes, the pandemic may have skewed all the indicators we rely on. Yet investors still stand a good chance of having a happy year.

What markets will boom in 2023? ›

Three Key Sectors in Which to Invest in 2023
  • Consumer staples. ...
  • Precious metals. ...
  • Healthcare.
Jan 12, 2023

Can the bank take your money if the stock market crashes? ›

Your money will not be lost. It is usually transferred to another bank with FDIC insurance, or you'll receive a check. Savings accounts, checking accounts, money market accounts, and CDs are examples of federally insured bank accounts.

Can you lose all your money in a 401k if the market crashes? ›

Unfortunately, a stock market crash is likely to result in major declines in your 401(k) account balance, at least short term. How can I avoid losing money from my 401(k)? The best way to avoid losing money in your 401(k) — especially during a recession — is to avoid selling off all your investments.

Can banks seize your money if economy fails? ›

The short answer is no. Banks cannot take your money without your permission, at least not legally. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures deposits up to $250,000 per account holder, per bank.

What is the most profitable stock ever? ›

The Best Performing Stocks in History
  • Coca-Cola. (NASDAQ: KO) ...
  • Altria. (NASDAQ: MO) ...
  • Amazon.com. (NASDAQ: AMZN) ...
  • Celgene. (NASDAQ: CELG) ...
  • Apple. (NASDAQ: AAPL) ...
  • Alphabet. (NASDAQ:GOOG) ...
  • Gilead Sciences. (NASDAQ: GILD) ...
  • Microsoft. (NASDAQ: MSFT)

Which is the safest stock market? ›

Safety in Numbers - The Safest Stocks to Buy
  • Infosys.
  • Hindustan Unilever.
  • HDFC Bank.
  • Reliance Industries.
  • Tata Motors.
  • Tata Consultancy Services.

Which is more safest stock? ›

Starter Stock Portfolio: 15 Safe Stocks To Buy
  • Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 57. ...
  • The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 58. ...
  • The Home Depot, Inc. ...
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) ...
  • Walmart Inc. ...
  • AbbVie Inc. ...
  • The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) ...
  • Pfizer Inc.
Mar 30, 2023

Will the stock market ever go to zero? ›

And while theoretically possible, the entire US stock market going to zero would be incredibly unlikely. It would, in fact, take a catastrophic event involving the total dissolution of the US government and economic system for this to occur.

Who keeps the money you lose in the stock market? ›

When a stock tumbles and an investor loses money, the money doesn't get redistributed to someone else. Essentially, it has disappeared into thin air, reflecting dwindling investor interest and a decline in investor perception of the stock.

At what point will the stock market shut down? ›

Circuit breakers halt trading on the nation's stock markets during dramatic drops and are set at 7%, 13%, and 20% of the closing price for the previous day.

Will China overtake US in technology? ›

The study, which was released today, found that China has a “stunning lead” in 37 out of 44 critical and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and robotics.

Are US and China superpowers? ›

“Superpower” was coined as a concept by the American international relations scholar William T. R. Fox in his book The Superpowers, published in 1944. With the United States and China the two dominant states in a bipolar power structure, it is common to refer to both countries as superpowers.

What country will be the next superpower? ›

India is expected to overtake Germany in terms of GDP in 2025 and Japan in 2027 to become the third largest economy after the U.S. and China. Modi has pledged to make India a developed country by 2047, when it celebrates the 100th anniversary of its independence.

Would China fit in the US? ›

United States is around the same size as China.

China is approximately 9,596,960 sq km, while United States is approximately 9,833,517 sq km, making United States 2% larger than China.

Who has the best technology USA or China? ›

The United States and other western countries are losing the race with China to develop advanced technologies and retain talent, with Beijing potentially establishing a monopoly in some areas, a new report has said.

Is China more advanced than the US? ›

In other words, on a proportional basis, China is now roughly 75 percent as advanced in innovation and advanced-industry production as the United States. If this relative growth continues apace, China will surpass the United States by 2035.

Does China have better military technology than US? ›

Although China lags behind the United States regarding operational skills and military hardware, it has also improved relative capabilities in many areas. China has the second largest air force in the world after the United States, which has the most significant air force strength.

Can China defeat US Navy? ›

An American naval expert has warned US military planners that the US Navy might lose to China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, which enjoys a substantial numerical advantage over the US, saying, “the side with the most ships almost always wins.”

What is most powerful country in the world? ›

The United States remains the most powerful country in the world, followed by China and Russia. However, the balance of power may shift in the coming years as countries like India and Brazil continue to grow economically and assert themselves on the global stage.

Who will rule the world in 2025? ›

According to a recent report by Harvard University, “From economic complexity growth estimates, India is growing at the annual list at the rate of 7.9 percent as the fastest growing country for the coming decade.

Which country will rule the world in 2050? ›

1. China. And, to one's surprise, China will be the most powerful economy in the world in 2050. But this did not take PwC to come up with this conclusion.

Which country will be richest in 2050? ›

Richest Country in 2050 will be United Kingdom

The United Kingdom's Gross Domestic Product in 2050 is estimated to be 3.58 trillion US dollars, with a per capita income of 49,412 US dollars. The present gap between the British economic wealth and Germany's economic wealth will contract significantly.

Does the US have a bigger military than China? ›

China wields by far the world's largest military, with 2.8 million soldiers, sailors and airmen—twice the American number. (The United States is number two; the only other countries with more than a million active duty troops are China's neighbors—Russia, India and North Korea.)

How much does China depend on the US? ›

China has shifted purchases away from the United States to reduce its reliance on US suppliers, but US farmers remain highly dependent on the Chinese market. In 2022, around 19 percent of US agriculture exports went to China, up from 14 percent in 2017 and 13 percent in 2009.

Is China physically bigger than the US? ›

News Across the U.S.

However, China leads when it comes to land area compared with the U.S. World Atlas says China is approximately 2% larger than the U.S. in terms of land area.

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