#us-china-trade-tensions

#us-china-trade-tensions

China's economy is stuck in the doldrums. Youth unemployment is at a two-year high. Housing prices have been falling for more than four years, and many believe they're yet to hit bottom. And Chinese consumers, like 32-year-old Lu Yingcai and 36-year-old Liu Lu, who NPR recently met on the streets of Beijing, are tightening their belts. LU YINGCAI: (Through interpreter) I'm actually traveling less and eating out less often.

Thanks to strong earnings reports, investors are still shrugging off trade war fears and the fact that the U.S. government is now in its third week of a shutdown. Futures are up across the board, with Dow futures up 182 points. The Nasdaq is up about 141, as the S&P 500 tacks on about 27 points. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF ( NYSEMKT: VOO) is also showing big signs of life thanks to impressive earnings.