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Cyprus Industrial Turnover Rises 4.6% In April, Led By Manufacturing And Metal Products

Cyprus’ industrial turnover continued to grow in April 2026, with the overall index rising 4.6% year on year to 143.1 points, according to figures released on Friday by the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat).

Growth also remained positive over the longer term, with industrial turnover increasing 3.4% during the first four months of the year compared with the same period in 2025.

Manufacturing Continues To Drive Growth

Using 2021 as the base year, the index measures monthly turnover across Cyprus’ industrial sectors. Manufacturing remained the main engine of growth, with its index climbing 5.1% year on year to 149.2 points in April. Over the January-to-April period, turnover in the sector increased 3.7%.

Among manufacturers, basic metals and fabricated metal products recorded the strongest annual growth, with turnover rising 11.9% in April and 10.3% over the first four months of the year. Other non-metallic mineral products also performed strongly, posting annual growth of 11.4% in April, while wood and cork products remained among the best-performing categories, with turnover up 10.3% during the month and 23% year to date.

Machinery, motor vehicles and other transport equipment also maintained solid momentum, recording growth of 9.7% in April and 4.9% over the January-to-April period. Refined petroleum products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals increased 8.2% in April, although cumulative growth since the beginning of the year stood at a more modest 0.5%.

Furniture, other manufacturing, and machinery repair and installation advanced 8.1% in April despite remaining 3.9% below last year’s level over the first four months. Food, beverages and tobacco products posted more moderate growth, with turnover up 0.8% in April and 3.4% year to date, while rubber and plastic products were broadly stable, edging up 0.3%.

Some Manufacturing Segments Weakened

Not every manufacturing category recorded gains. Paper products and printing declined 6.6% in April and were down 2.4% over the January-to-April period.

Textiles, clothing and leather products also slipped, falling 4.1% during the month, although turnover remained 3.2% above last year’s level on a year-to-date basis. Electronic and optical products, together with electrical equipment, posted the weakest performance, declining 2.2% in April and 13.4% during the first four months of 2026.

Mining And Utilities Deliver Mixed Results

Outside manufacturing, mining and quarrying recorded annual turnover growth of 5.6% in April and 1.9% over the first four months of the year.

Water supply and materials recovery expanded by 5.5% in April and 7.4% year to date, supported by a 17% increase in materials recovery. Water collection, treatment and supply, however, fell 3.1% during the month, though turnover remained 1.2% higher than a year earlier over the January-to-April period.

Electricity supply delivered more modest growth, with turnover increasing 1.3% in April and 0.5% over the first four months of the year.

Domestic Demand Remains Stronger Than Exports

Domestic demand continued to support industrial activity. The local market index rose 4.4% year on year in April and was up 4.2% over the first four months of the year, reaching 143.6 points.

Export turnover showed a different pattern. Although the export market index increased 6% year on year in April to 140.2 points, it remained 1% below the level recorded during the January-to-April period of 2025.

According to Cystat, the industrial turnover index covers mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity supply, water supply and materials recovery, but excludes sewerage, waste collection, treatment and disposal, and remediation activities.

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

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.

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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