Shares retreated in Asia on Thursday as investors mulled figures showing China's economy returned to growth in the last quarter. The Shanghai Composite index led Thursday’s declines, dropping 2.9% to 3,262.41. News that China’s economy grew 3.2% in annual terms in April-June, after a 6.8% contraction in the previous quarter, failed to keep an overnight rally going. The expansion came as anti-virus lockdowns were lifted and factories and stores reopened. But it still was the weakest positive figure since China started reporting quarterly growth in the early 1990s.

Source: International New York Times July 16, 2020 06:22 UTC