Factory activity shrank in most of Asia's major economies in September, private surveys showed on Wednesday, as signs of a slowdown in US growth and the expected impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs added to pressure from weak Chinese demand.
Oil prices steadied on Wednesday after two days of declines as investors weighed OPEC+ plans for a larger output hike next month and the outcome of a U.S. government shutdown that could impact economic activity and fuel demand.
Cox Automotive expects U.S. auto sales to drop by low single-digit percentages in late 2025 and into 2026, mainly driven by price increases, driven in turn by new tariffs on auto imports and metals – an outcome Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for Cox Automotive, describes as “not so bad,” considering the circumstances.
September 2025 US auto sales are projected to reach 1.23 million units, according to S&P Global Mobility. This would translate to an estimated sales pace of 16.2 million units (seasonally adjusted annual rate: SAAR), aligned with the 16.1-million-unit pace in August and reflective of the sales bounce realized over the third quarter.
A Sri Lanka rubber traders group has said the government’s decision to abolish the Simplified Value Added Tax (SVAT) scheme from October 1 would cause ‘severe and far-reaching consequences’, and urged it to differ or phase it out.
“According to the latest research study, the demand of the global Rubber Tire Market size & share was valued at approximately USD 166.8 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 172.4 Billion in 2025 and is expected to reach a value of around USD 237.1 Billion by 2034, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 3.36% during the forecast period 2025 to 2034.”