Mapping the World’s Prices 2026 has now had over 35,000 downloads in the first week and featured in at least 150 global media articles. To celebrate Adrian Cox and I have recorded a vodcast to go through the main findings. This was probably the first (and last) time I’ve mentioned Hen Dos in a research appearance. Feel free to share the original document far and wide.

July 16, 2026 -- Today’s top stories: 1. China's Economy Grows at One of Its Weakest Rates on Record #China's economy expanded just 4.3% in the second quarter, missing its official target and marking one of the weakest growth rates in decades. Strong exports continue to mask weak domestic demand, underscoring Beijing's challenge in reviving consumption, investment, and sustainable economic momentum. 2. #CXMT Seeks US$10 Billion in China's Biggest #IPO since 2010 3. #AI to Boost APAC Growth and Real Estate Demand, Cushman & Wakefield 戴德梁行 Says Artificial intelligence is expected to accelerate Asia-Pacific economic growth while driving stronger demand for commercial real estate, according to Cushman & Wakefield. AI-led productivity gains, infrastructure investment, and job creation could reshape the region's economy through 2030 despite ongoing workforce transformation. 4. DBS Targets US$775 Billion in Wealth Assets by 2030 Singapore's 星展銀行 plans to more than double its wealth assets under management to over US$775 billion by 2030, expanding wealth centers and hiring 600 staff. The bank aims to capitalize on Asia's rising affluent population and compete with the world's largest asset managers. Read the full scoop: https://lnkd.in/gtbvFqY3

Excerpts: Key lesson: In China and beyond, resting on legacy advantages is the fastest way to become irrelevant. True resilience comes from continuous innovation, speed, and a willingness to face competitive reality head-on. Comments: Some foreign companies leave China simply because lost the competitive edge. On the contrary, other international companies are entering the Chinese market to gain edges.

Why Foreign Companies Are Really Leaving China, It’s Not What You Think After 20+ years living and working in China, advising and witnessing countless foreign firms enter, thrive, and eventually exit, I need to address a common misconception. Headlines often paint a picture of companies fleeing due to “risk,” “instability,” or being “bullied.” The reality I’ve seen on the ground is far more straightforward and uncomfortable: They simply lost the competitive edge. Chinese companies that once served as low-cost suppliers have evolved into formidable rivals. They now match, and often surpass, foreign players in technology, execution speed, capital efficiency, and market responsiveness. What used to be “good enough” from a global brand no longer wins when local competitors deliver faster innovation at better value. Many Fortune 500 companies I worked with relied on past successes, slow decision-making, and outdated USPs. They failed to innovate aggressively or adapt quickly enough to China’s hyper-dynamic market. Meanwhile, local firms studied them, improved upon their models, and outmaneuvered them. This isn’t about geopolitics or safety. It’s about competition, pure and simple. Blaming external factors may feel easier, but it prevents the hard self-reflection needed to succeed in the next market. Nowhere is this shift clearer than in EVs and AI. Chinese EV makers have moved from catching up to leading the world, dominating global sales, battery technology, and affordable innovation at scale. In AI, Chinese firms are rapidly advancing models, applications, and infrastructure with unmatched speed and data advantages. These sectors show how local champions are not just competing at home but capturing international markets and reshaping entire industries. Key lesson: In China and beyond, resting on legacy advantages is the fastest way to become irrelevant. True resilience comes from continuous innovation, speed, and a willingness to face competitive reality head-on.

WHY ARE FOREIGN COMPANIES LEAVİNG CHINA? Answer is simple, they are not any more innovative and competetive as expected, versus to Chinese rivals.. Do we have lessons to learn? So many… Alvin Foo InnowayConsulting T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı T.C. Sanayi ve Teknoloji Bakanlığı | Republic Of Türkiye Ministry of Industry and Technology

Sandpiper was onsite at the Reuters NEXT event in Singapore held last week, listening to a range of conversations on geopolitics, business resilience and where Asia’s growth story goes from here. Almost every panel started with the resumed war between the US and Iran, and would not end until AI was mentioned at least once. But a central theme across the event was how business leaders are adapting to a world continuously defined by volatility, fragmentation and disruption. From supply chain and energy security to US-China tensions and industrial policy, various speakers pointed to a world where governments and companies alike are being forced to rethink resilience, diversify risk and invest for a more fragmented operating environment. Across all the discussions, the outlook on Asia remains optimistic. It is still one of the most compelling destinations for capital, whether through AI infrastructure, corporate transformation in Japan, or innovation in China. The shared conclusion was that Asia's appeal lies in its scale, diversity and adaptability. Even in a world of war, tariffs, and supply chain disruptions, this remains a core region for growth, innovation, and investment. #ReutersNEXT #APAC #Asia #Geopolitics #BusinessResilience #Singapore

We are pleased to publish our latest macroeconomic research at Periodization Capital Research. Japan's Resurgence traces the country's shift from the deflationary stagnation of the Lost Decades to the inflation-driven recovery of recent years, a recovery set in motion largely by global supply shocks rather than domestic demand. Our conclusion is that the current upturn is cyclical, and cyclical upturns end. Converting it into sustainable growth requires Japan to adopt what we call the Hub Model: aggressive structural reform, deregulation of risk capital, and Tokyo repositioned as a globalized innovation center. Full paper attached below. Our website, with the rest of our research and our live portfolio, is linked in the comments. Mathias Guerra | Birhanu Girma Tesfahun | Ronny Insel | Mateusz Herman

During the recent World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2026 (Summer Davos), Anny Zhang, JLL China CEO, took an exclusive interview with Shanghai Media Group (SMG)’s TV Channel “ShanghaiEye”, sharing the reality behind “China Plus One” and the evolving landscape for global investment. Anny also commented on Chinese Globalization 2.0 - Chinese “hidden champions” are building ecosystems abroad while simultaneously doubling down on domestic innovation and talent to fuel their worldwide reach. For international investors, the opportunity remains robust, driven by deep talent pools and innovation, specialized industrial clusters, and strategic livability in key cities. ➡️ The Verdict: It’s never too late to invest in China. Act now to capitalize on the new cycle. #JLL #ChinaBusiness #GlobalExpansion #RealEstateInsights #InvestmentStrategy #SupplyChain #Innovation #WEF

Discussions on the resilience of the China market and the immense potential of Chinese 'hidden champions' expanding globally have never been more relevant. At JLL, we are not just witnessing this transition; we are actively helping our clients bridge the gap between local depth and global reach. I am incredibly proud of our team’s commitment to driving these strategic connections as we continue to support our partners on their growth journeys.

ASSESSING INNOVATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: POLICIES, PROGRESS AND PERSISTENT GAPS In the current global environment, innovation-led growth is not optional for Southeast Asia. It represents a structural necessity driven by diminishing returns from traditional export-led industrialisation, increasing geopolitical and economic fragmentation, and the rise of digital and knowledge-based economies. Full article is available on our website: https://lnkd.in/df7Ex7aq