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Real-time News
January 30th - Apple had an exceptionally pleasant Christmas. Unprecedented demand for the latest iPhone drove its core device revenue to a staggering $85.27 billion, a 23% year-over-year surge. CEO Tim Cook stated that a direct side effect of this explosive quarter was that Apple entered the year with "extremely low channel inventory." He said, "Were in catch-up mode to meet extremely high levels of customer demand. Were currently experiencing supply constraints, and its difficult to predict at this stage when supply and demand will reach equilibrium." Apple doesnt design its own memory, instead relying on external suppliers such as SK Hynix, Micron Technology, and Samsung Electronics. While other PC manufacturers like Lenovo and Dell have discussed their own stockpiling efforts, Cook was vague about their prospects, only stating that the shortage had a "minimal" impact on last quarters profits, but a "slightly larger" impact on this quarter. He added that Apple will consider "a range of options to address this issue."On January 30th, Bosch announced that its core markets are not expected to see significant improvement before next year. The worlds largest automotive supplier is facing immense cost pressures due to weak demand and high costs, triggering a wave of layoffs. In its 2025 annual results released on Friday, Bosch stated that due to slowing global economic growth and price pressures from tariffs, the company will not achieve its 7% profit margin target until 2027 at the earliest. Bosch has repeatedly postponed its profit targets in recent years. CEO Stefan Hartung stated, "The target remains steadfast, but the realities are always changing." He hinted that the company may need to accelerate its workforce reduction, with layoffs potentially exceeding the 13,000 announced last year. The weakening dollar, exchange rate effects, tariff barriers, intense competition, weak demand from automakers, and restructuring costs are all contributing to Boschs current performance pressures.On January 30, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce answered questions from reporters regarding the outcome document of China-UK economic and trade cooperation. The China-UK Joint Commission on Economic and Trade (JCO-ITS) is an important mechanism for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, comprising several specialized working groups. The last meeting was held in Beijing in September 2025. The Memorandum of Understanding signed by both sides this time, entitled "Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening the Work of the China-UK Joint Commission on Economic and Trade Cooperation," aims to solidify the JCO-ITS role as a platform for dialogue on China-UK economic and trade policies and trade and investment promotion, promote interaction between the JCO-ITS and the China-UK Business Council, strengthen dialogue between government and businesses in both countries, promote the resolution of issues and demands from enterprises on both sides, and contribute to deepening China-UK economic and trade relations.According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry: The Iranian Foreign Minister met with the Turkish Foreign Minister.On January 30th, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce answered reporters questions regarding the outcome documents of China-UK economic and trade cooperation. The UK is the worlds second-largest exporter of services. In recent years, China and the UK have actively promoted cooperation in the service trade sector, achieving positive results. Through the signing of two documents—the "Memorandum of Understanding on Launching a Joint Feasibility Study on a China-UK Service Trade Agreement" and the "Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing a Bilateral Service Partnership"—China and the UK will launch a feasibility study to negotiate a service trade agreement. They will also fully leverage the complementarity and respective advantages of the service sector to further deepen cooperation in areas such as creative industries, professional services, financial services, and healthcare. In the current turbulent international environment, this represents a concrete action by both countries to jointly support free trade.
