Chinese GDP grows by 4.5 per cent in the first quarter – faster than expected – following the lifting of strict Covid restrictions back in December. Manufacturing and retail have also show strong signs of rebounding. In the U.S., financial groups Charles Schwab, State Street and M&T witness combined deposit outflows of almost $60bn as investors flee to seek out higher returns. Apple announces it is launching its own higher-yield account. Asian indices are down but Wall Street remains buoyant ahead of further key bank earnings due later today. French President Emmanuel Macron uses a prime time TV address to the nation to defend his controversial pension reforms.   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.