Gold prices eased on Thursday as a stronger dollar and bets over an early policy tapering by the U.S. Federal Reserve weighed on sentiment, although losses for the safe-haven metal were limited by concerns that rising COVID-19 cases will slow global growth.
China's nonfinancial outbound direct investment (ODI) in economies participating in the Belt and Road Initiative soared 9.9 percent year-on-year to $11.29 billion in the first seven months of this year, the Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday.
The household savings stash built up during pandemic lockdowns looks to be mostly spent already, reinforcing fears that the growth rebound from the COVID-19 shock is already waning as the Federal Reserve gears up to reduce support.