HSBC global economist James Pomeroy says the free nature of personal AI tools is creating a substantial consumer surplus by saving users time and money. HSBC estimates US AI-generated consumer surplus will be about US$172 bln in early 2026, up from roughly US$116 bln six months earlier, and could reach US$250 bln in 2027 — about 0.8% of US GDP or 1.5% of US consumer spending.

For the week July 6–12, China’s Ministry of Transport said national railway freight was 73.277 mln t, down 5.51% WoW. Monitored ports handled 213.957 mln t of cargo, down 18.5%, and container throughput was 5.774 mln TEU, down 15.49%. National expressway truck passages totaled 52.801 mln, down 0.57% WoW. Civil aviation operated 129,000 flights, up 1.19% WoW, including 4,707 cargo flights (3,085 international, 1,622 domestic). Postal and courier pick-ups were about 3.912 bln items, up 0.05% WoW; deliveries about 3.919 bln items, up 1.53%.

Korea Exchange (KRX) triggered the KOSPI circuit breaker after the index fell about 8%, halting trading for 20 minutes.