China GDP Growth Slows to 4.3 Percent in Quarter Ending June

China's gross domestic product grew 4.3 percent in the quarter ending 30 June, The Guardian reported. The rate marked the slowest expansion in three and a half years and fell short of Beijing's 4.5 percent to 5 percent target range. Growth slowed from the 5 percent pace recorded in the first quarter.

Thames Water stated it possesses sufficient funding to continue operations until the end of 2026. The utility, which serves 16 million customers in London and southern England, reported £515 million in cash reserves. Its debts rose £1.7 million from the prior year to reach £18.5 billion.

The company recorded an 18 percent decline in sewage pollution for the 12 months ending March and lifted underlying profit after tax to £203.9 million from £12.6 million a year earlier. " Oil prices rose after the United States abandoned a plan to impose a 20 percent tariff on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude increased 0.7 percent to $85.3 a barrel.

President Trump stated he would expand U.S. strikes on Iran next week to include power plants and bridges unless Tehran accepts a deal. Asian equities advanced following a larger-than-expected drop in U.S.

Inflation. Japan's Nikkei gained 1.5 percent, Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 1.4 percent and South Korea's Kospi climbed 6.2 percent. The pound strengthened 0.45 percent against the dollar while the euro traded above $1.14.

Two-year Treasury yields fell 9 basis points to 4.2 percent. Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh told Congress that a single data point remained insufficient to declare victory over inflation. The Guardian reported these market movements occurred on the same day as scheduled releases of eurozone industrial production figures and U.S.