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Global Times: China’s merchandise trade expands 15.3% in first 5 months

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BEIJING, June 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In bustling hotels and restaurants in Japan, a fleet of delivery robots made by Chinese company Pudu Robotics are zipping through crowded dining halls with remarkable agility. Balancing trays of steaming hot dishes and fragrant coffee, these cheerful machines skillfully navigate among tables, dodge chatting guests, and deliver orders with pinpoint accuracy.

Whether delivering food, welcoming customers at sidewalk cafés, performing precise tasks on advanced vehicle and aviation production lines or even lending a steady hand in surgical suites, Chinese robots have been making inroads into the world. These widespread real-world applications underscore how high-tech products such as robots are powering a new surge in China’s foreign trade, injecting fresh momentum into the country’s economic engine.

China’s foreign trade has maintained momentum, with the value of goods trade jumping by 15.3 percent year-on-year to reach 20.68 trillion yuan ($3.05 trillion) in the first five months, data from the General Administration of Customs (GAC) showed on Tuesday.

The market-beating performance was fueled by a number of positive factors, including strong global demand for China’s high-tech and electronic products driven by the artificial intelligence (AI) wave, as well as a series of preferential trade arrangements, Chinese observers pointed out.

They stressed that these figures underscore China’s irreplaceable role in underpinning global supply chain stability and resilience.

Lü Daliang, director of the GAC’s Department of Statistics and Analysis, said that China’s foreign trade value exceeded 4 trillion yuan for a third consecutive month as of May, sustaining a positive trajectory, China Central Television reported.

China has vigorously deepened pragmatic economic and trade cooperation with its partners this year, and China is always a stabilizing force for global trade, he said.

Tian Yun, a Beijing-based economist, told the Global Times on Tuesday that with the global economy facing pressure and a volatile geopolitical situation, the impressive growth rate showed that “China’s foreign trade engine is built on a stable and solid foundation, while displaying new vitality and strong growth momentum.”

He noted that the data again highlighted the country’s irreplaceable position in the global supply chain and the continuous enhancement of the international competitiveness of Chinese products.

Boom in high-tech exports

The acceleration in China’s exports of high-tech gadgets made headlines across global media outlets. Reuters reported China’s trade figures on Tuesday under the headline “China rides AI wave as exports surge past forecast.” Bloomberg, in an article headlined “AI supercycle propels China’s trade with 111 percent boom in chip sales,” noted that the global investment supercycle in AI is driving up prices and demand for hardware made by the world’s manufacturing powerhouse.

Exports rose 11.8 percent year-on-year in the first five months, with high-tech and high value-added mechanical and electrical products up 18.4 percent and accounting for more than 60 percent of total exports. Imports soared 20.5 percent as domestic demand continued to improve, customs data showed.

Among factors supporting the stellar double-digit growth, Chinese analysts pointed to the global AI wave, which drove surging demand for China’s high-tech products, ranging from robotics, AI accelerators, and data center equipment to photovoltaic panels and intelligent manufacturing systems.

“The heating-up in global AI investment fueled further price increases for chips, computer components, and electronic parts, which gave further drive to China’s export value in May,” Feng Lin, executive director of the research and development department at Orient Golden Credit Rating, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

The rating company provided figures on AI-related exports, which showed that in May, the value of chip exports more than doubled, while that of automatic data processing equipment and its parts rose 66.1 percent year-on-year.

Feng also highlighted significant progress in domestic manufacturing transformation and upgrading, which boosted exports of new-energy vehicles and other high-tech products.

China’s cooperation with other economies as well as deeper integration into the global industrial chain has been consolidating and strengthening, analysts noted.

Among major trading partners, China’s trade with the US recorded a sharp rebound in May amid stabilizing bilateral trade and economic relations, according to a research note that Orient Golden Credit Rating sent to the Global Times. China’s exports to the US gained 35.4 percent year-on-year in May in dollar-denominated terms, while imports jumped 20.4 percent, the data showed.

In the first five months, China’s imports and exports with ASEAN and the EU grew by 16.6 percent and 10.3 percent, respectively. Trade with Belt and Road Initiative partner countries jumped 13.6 percent year-on-year.

Since May 1, China has fully rolled out zero-tariff treatment for all African countries that have diplomatic relations with China. In the first five months, China’s trade with Africa hit 1.14 trillion yuan, up 18.2 percent year-on-year. The figure broke through 1 trillion yuan for the period for the first time.

“Based on current trends, China’s foreign trade is highly likely to achieve double-digit growth in the first half of the year. This would mark one of the strongest trade performances in the past four to five years,” Tian said.

Feng warned that under the influence of geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, international crude oil prices have surged, which has created inflation pressure and clouded the growth prospects of the global economy in the second half.

While external headwinds will inevitably weigh on the global economy, China’s stabilizing foreign trade growth will provide a crucial buffer, supporting not only its domestic economy but also contributing positively to global economic stability, analysts stressed.

“Taking into account the current geopolitical landscape, we expect China’s new-energy products to receive more orders in the coming months,” Tian noted, highlighting China’s dual role as both a stabilizer and a powerful driving force for the global supply chain.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-times-chinas-merchandise-trade-expands-15-3-in-first-5-months-302798844.html

SOURCE Global Times

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With the Launch of Next-Gen Vehicle Reports, Zoooom Breaks the Car History Monopoly and Stops the $40+ Consumer ‘Rip-Off’

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The first platform to pair deep vehicle history with real-time visual AI diagnostics for private-party sales—at a market-disrupting price.

CYPRESS, Calif., July 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Zoooom, the pioneering peer-to-peer automotive technology platform, today announced the launch of Zoooom Car Reports, a direct, unprecedented reckoning for the legacy vehicle history monopoly. By offering the exact same volume of core historical and technical data as major traditional players — but adding real-time AI assessments and localized transactional intelligence — Zoooom is completely transforming the impact of car reports and dismantling its bloated pricing structure.

Zoooom Car Reports breaks the vehicle-history monopoly: same data, AI diagnostics, and a market-disrupting price.

For decades, a single vehicle history report could cost $40+. Because all major players rely on the exact same underlying datasets, Zoooom views this legacy pricing model as an outright consumer rip-off. Zoooom’s new initiative is rooted in its vision of democratizing automotive data and unlocking total transparency for everyday consumers.

Dismantling the Paywall: The Most Aggressive Pricing in Automotive Tech

To accelerate market adoption and empower consumers to gain confidence when transacting in the peer-to-peer marketplace, Zoooom is introducing a highly disruptive pricing structure:

Always Free for Your Own Vehicle: Any car registered in a user’s Zoooom Digital Garage receives full history reports completely free, without conditions. Zoooom is built on the core promise that no one should ever have to pay to access the data they already rightfully own.

The Summer Launch Offer: From now until August 31, 2026, users can run up to three comprehensive vehicle reports completely free of charge (see website for full conditions).

Zoooom Price Advantage: Starting September 1st, Zoooom will transition to a permanent, highly aggressive price positioning. While specific commercial tiers remain under wraps to protect Zoooom’s market edge, the post-summer pricing will permanently slash traditional industry rates, undercutting even basic budget data aggregators while delivering significantly higher technical value.

Zoooom Marketplace Plus Benefit: In a continuous commitment for service excellence, any buyer who runs a paid Zoooom report on a vehicle not saved in a Zoooom Digital Garage will receive a 100% refund on that report if they complete their transaction on the Zoooom marketplace using Stripe.

Zoooom Car Reports Goes Beyond with Advanced Features and a Unique Set of Data

While legacy reports rely entirely on lagging administrative logs, police reports, or DMV registrations, the Zoooom Car Report introduces a suite of modern, highly actionable features guiding potential buyers to make the right decision:

The “AI Walkaround” Integration: Users conduct a 60-second guided visual video scan of the car. Zoooom’s proprietary AI immediately analyzes the footage to capture real-time cosmetic wear (such as body scratches or interior cabin condition) and actively verifies instrument clusters to ensure no warning lights are illuminated, significantly enriching the depth of the historical report.

Actionable “What to Do Next” Framework: Instead of burying critical information in dense walls of text, Zoooom filters vehicle data into an immediate, prioritized checklist, explicitly flagging overdue services or open safety recalls.

NHTSA Owner Complaints Context: Zoooom cross-references the specific vehicle make and model year with broader consumer databases. By flagging recurring, owner-reported mechanical and electrical vulnerabilities, Zoooom arms buyers with critical preventative knowledge before they buy that is simply not mentioned in any other reports.

Localized Transaction & Tax Guidance: Unlike standard reports, Zoooom customizes the output based on the vehicle’s exact jurisdictional location, explicitly calculating estimated state sales taxes and outlining regional title notarization or transfer laws.

Integrated Pricing Guide: Estimated Private Party, Trade-in, and Dealer values are embedded directly into the history timeline, eliminating the need to cross-reference third-party valuation sites.

A Message from Leadership

“Zoooom continues to build unique capabilities that are fundamentally transforming the peer-to-peer car marketplace,” said Sheng Wang, CEO and Co-Founder of Zoooom. “With the launch of Zoooom Car Reports, Zoooom once again establishes itself as an indispensable player in the industry, leveraging data to create advanced, customer-centric AI features. By removing the friction of legacy systems and connecting buyers and sellers the way consumers expect, we are eliminating both the ‘trust deficit’ and the unnecessary middleman markups that have plagued this industry for too many years.”

“Charging consumers exorbitant prices for simple database queries is an outdated practice,” added Christophe G., Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Zoooom. “With Zoooom Car Reports, we are delivering a superior level of value for our customers and an unmatched product for a fraction of the cost. The Summer Launch Offer provides a unique opportunity for car sellers and buyers to engage with our brand and discover the most advanced peer-to-peer car marketplace in America. There has never been a better time to join the Zoooom community and benefit from our exclusive ecosystem.”

About Zoooom

Zoooom is an innovative automotive technology platform dedicated to bringing transparency, simplicity, and intelligence to the entire car ownership lifecycle. Leveraging proprietary technology, Zoooom develops user-centric solutions that break down traditional industry friction, creating a streamlined, cost-effective, and enjoyable experience for car owners, buyers, and sellers. Learn more at zoooom.me.

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SOURCE Zoooom, Inc.

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Community Healthcare Trust Announces Second Quarter Earnings Release Date And Conference Call

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FRANKLIN, Tenn., July 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (NYSE: CHCT) today announced that on Tuesday evening, August 4, 2026, after the market closes, it will report results for the second quarter of 2026. 

On August 5, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, Community Healthcare Trust will hold a conference call to discuss earnings results, quarterly activities, general operations of the Company and industry trends. Simultaneously, a webcast of the conference call will be available to interested parties via an Internet link at www.chct.reit under the Investor Relations section. A webcast replay will be available following the call at the same Internet site address.

Conference Call Details

Domestic Dial-In Number: 1-888-347-1332

International Dial-In Number: 1-412-902-4278

Canada Toll Free: 1-855-669-9657

Replay Conference Call Details

Domestic & Canada Replay Number: 1-855-669-9658

International Replay Number: 1-412-317-0088

Conference ID: 9422138

About Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated

Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (the “Company”) is a real estate investment trust that focuses on owning income-producing real estate properties associated primarily with the delivery of outpatient healthcare services in our target sub-markets throughout the United States. As of March 31, 2026, the Company had investments of approximately $1.2 billion in 198 real estate properties (including one property with sales-type leases). The properties are located in 36 states, totaling approximately 4.5 million square feet in the aggregate.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to the historical information contained within, the matters discussed in this press release may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes”, “expects”, “may”, “will,” “should”, “seeks”, “approximately”, “intends”, “plans”, “estimates”, “anticipates” or other similar words or expressions, including the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and can include future expectations, future plans and strategies, financial and operating projections or other forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Because forward-looking statements relate to future events, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the control of Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated (the “Company”). Thus, the Company’s actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements. Some factors that might cause such a difference include the following: general volatility of the capital markets and the market price of the Company’s common stock, changes in the Company’s business strategy, availability, terms and deployment of capital, changes in the real estate industry in general, interest rates or the general economy, adverse developments related to the healthcare industry, changes in governmental regulations, the degree and nature of the Company’s competition, the ability to consummate acquisitions under contract, catastrophic or extreme weather and other natural events and the physical effects of climate change, the occurrence of cyber incidents, effects on global and national markets as well as businesses resulting from increased inflation, changes in interest rates, supply chain disruptions, labor conditions, prolonged government shutdown or budgetary reductions or impasses, tariffs and global trade tensions, and/or international conflicts, and the other factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained herein which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company intends these forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of this press release and undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

CONTACT: Bill Monroe, 615-771-3052

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/community-healthcare-trust-announces-second-quarter-earnings-release-date-and-conference-call-302828754.html

SOURCE Community Healthcare Trust Incorporated

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S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND MSCI ANNOUNCE CONSULTATION ON POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE GLOBAL INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION STANDARD (GICS®)

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NEW YORK, July 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI), a leading provider of financial market indices, and MSCI Inc. (MSCI), a leading provider of critical decision support tools and services have decided to consult with members of the investment community on potential changes to the GICS structure.

The review is intended to ensure that the GICS structure is reflective of today’s markets and continues to be an accurate and complete industry framework. 

The consultation begins on July 17, 2026, and ends on October 30, 2026. Any changes to the GICS structure will be announced by November 2026. This consultation may or may not result in any changes to the GICS structure.

Key topics under review*:

Classification of Artificial Intelligence (AI) related business modelsRestructuring the Semiconductors Sub-IndustryDefinition updates for High-Performance Computing As-a-Service (HPCaaS) and AI Data Lifecycle ServicesClassification of Foundation Model DevelopersUpdates to the Application Software Sub-IndustryClassification of Listed Investment Companies

The consultation document with detailed proposals is available on S&P Dow Jones Indices’ Web site at: https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/landing/topic/gics/ and MSCI’s Web site at: www.msci.com/gics.

* A select list of companies with a market capitalization exceeding USD 2 billion that may be affected by this proposal is available for clients for illustrative purposes.

MODE OF CONSULTATION

There are two options for participating in this year’s consultation:

Click on the links below to participate in the online surveyS&P: LinkMSCI: Link

       2. Contact one of the following email addresses with your feedback

S&P: index_services@spglobal.comMSCI: clientservice@msci.com Contact your MSCI / S&P DJI Account Manager

For a detailed description of GICS, please refer to S&P Dow Jones Indices’ Web site at https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/landing/topic/gics/ or the MSCI’s Web site at www.msci.com/gics.

About S&P Dow Jones Indices

S&P Dow Jones Indices is the largest global resource for essential index-based concepts, data and research, and home to iconic financial market indicators, such as the S&P 500® and the Dow Jones Industrial Average®. More assets are invested in products based on our indices than products based on indices from any other provider in the world. Since Charles Dow invented the first index in 1884, S&P DJI has been innovating and developing indices across the spectrum of asset classes helping to define the way investors measure and trade the markets.

S&P Dow Jones Indices is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.spglobal.com/spdji.

Media Inquiries

spdji.comms@spglobal.com

About MSCI

MSCI (NYSE: MSCI Inc.) strengthens global markets by connecting participants across the financial ecosystem with a common language. Our research-based data, analytics and indexes, supported by advanced technology, set standards for global investors and help our clients understand risks and opportunities so they can make better decisions and unlock innovation. We serve asset managers and owners, private-market sponsors and investors, hedge funds, wealth managers, banks, insurers and corporates. To learn more, please visit www.msci.com

The process for submitting a formal index complaint can be found on the index regulation page of MSCI’s website at: https://www.msci.com/index-regulation

Media Inquiries

PR@msci.com

Melanie Blanco

+1 212 981 1049

Konstantinos Makrygiannis

+44 77 6893 0056

Tina Tan

+852 2844 9320

MSCI Global Client Service:

EMEA Client Service

+ 44 20 7618 2222

Americas Client Service

+1 888 588 4567

Asia Pacific Client Service

+ 852 2844 9333

Disclaimer

This document has been prepared by MSCI and S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its affiliates (“S&P Dow Jones Indices”) solely for informational purposes. All of the information contained herein, including without limitation all text, data, graphs, charts (collectively, the “Information”) is the property of MSCI, S&P Dow Jones Indices, or their respective affiliates. The Information may not be reproduced or redisseminated in whole or in part without prior written permission from MSCI and S&P Dow Jones Indices.

None of the proposals or alternatives set forth herein has been adopted by MSCI, S&P Dow Jones Indices or Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”), an affiliate of S&P Dow Jones Indices, and there is no assurance that they may be considered or adopted, in whole or in part, by any such party.

The Information may not be used to create derivative works or to verify or correct other data or information. For example (but without limitation), the Information may not be used to create indices, databases, risk models, analytics, software, or in connection with the issuing, offering, sponsoring, managing or marketing of any securities, portfolios, financial products or other investment vehicles utilizing or based on, linked to, tracking or otherwise derived from the Information. 

The user of the Information assumes the entire risk of any use it may make or permit to be made of the Information. NEITHER MSCI, S&P DOW JONES INDICES, S&P, NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES MAKES ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION (OR THE RESU LTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE USE THEREOF). TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, MSCI, S&P DOW JONES INDICES, S&P AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATE S EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, NON-INFRINGEMENT, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE) WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE INFORMATION.

Without limiting any of the foregoing and to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall MSCI, S&P Dow Jones Indices, S&P or any of their respective affiliates have any liability regarding any of the Information for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential (including lost profits) or any other damages even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

Information containing any historical information, data or analysis should not be taken as an indication or guarantee of any future performance, analysis, forecast or prediction. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

None of the Information constitutes an offer to sell (or a solicitation of an offer to buy), any security, financial product or other investment vehicle.

The Information does not, and is not intended to, recommend, endorse, approve or otherwise expresses any opinion regarding any issuer, security, financial product or trading strategy and none of the Information is intended to constitute investment advice or a recommendation to make (or refrain from making) any kind of investment decision and may not be relied on as such.

The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) was developed by and is the exclusive property of MSCI and S&P. “Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS)” is a service mark of MSCI and S&P.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sp-dow-jones-indices-and-msci-announce-consultation-on-potential-changes-to-the-global-industry-classification-standard-gics-302828876.html

SOURCE S&P Dow Jones Indices

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