Cyprus Construction Sector Posts Modest Output Growth As Prices Accelerate In Early 2026

Cyprus’ construction sector posted modest growth at the start of 2026, while construction costs continued to rise at a faster pace, according to figures released by the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat).

Production Growth Remains Tepid

The Index of Production in Construction, based on 2021 as the reference year, reached 120.74 points in the first quarter of 2026, up 0.7% compared with the same period a year earlier.

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The data indicate that construction activity continued to expand during the quarter, albeit at a moderate pace.

Output Prices Continue To Advance

Price pressures remained stronger than output growth. The Output Prices Index in Construction rose to 129.46 points in the first quarter, increasing 3.0% from the previous quarter and 4.7% year on year.

The figures suggest that construction costs continued to rise despite relatively modest gains in overall production.

Activity And Costs Continue To Diverge

Taken together, the latest Cystat data point to a sector where prices are increasing more quickly than construction activity. While output continued to grow in early 2026, the pace remained considerably slower than the rise in construction prices.

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Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

by News Editor

August 17, 2026

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

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IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.

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