Positive reports on GDP, retail sales and industrial production demonstrate that China ’s economy is doing better than expected. Friday brought more than enough good news about China’s economy to send the nation’s stock indices soaring.  The nation’s fourth quarter GDP beat expectations by expanding 7.9 percent on a year-over-year basis, despite forecasts of a 7.8 percent increase.  China’s National Bureau of Statistics reported that retail sales increased in December by 15.2 percent on a year-over-year basis, compared to 14.9 percent in November.  The Bureau of Statistics also reported that the nation’s electrical output rose to its highest level since August, as industrial output increased by 10.3 percent in December.  The Shanghai Composite Index jumped 1.41 percent to 2,317 (NYSEARCA:FXI).  Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index surged 1.12 percent to 23,601 (NYSEARCA:EWH). In Europe, the major stock indices saw mixed results during Friday’s trading session.  As of 11:17 EST, the Euro STOXX 50 Index declined 0. 31 percent to 2,710 – staying well above its 50-day moving average of 2,603.  The STOXX 50 continues to be experiencing resistance at the 2,700 level.  Its Relative Strength Index is 66.74 (NYSEARCA:FEZ).  The FTSE 100 Index rose 0.61 percent to 6,164 (NYSEARCA:EWU).  The German DAX Index fell 0.27 percent to 7,714 (NYSEARCA:EWG).  France’s CAC 40 Index dipped 0.09 percent to 3,740 (NYSEARCA:EWQ).  Spain’s IBEX 35 Index crept upward by 0.05 percent to 8,614 (NYSEARCA:EWP).  Italy’s FTSE MIB Index advanced 0.08 percent to 17,556 (NYSEARCA:EWI). As of 11:23 EST, the euro declined 0.63 percent against the dollar, trading at $1.3292 (NYSEARCA:FXE).   GBP/USD Falls to Fresh 2-month Lows Spain’s ten-year bond yield dropped to 5.07 percent on Friday from Thursday’s closing level of 5.12 percent.  Spain’s two-year bond yield declined to 2.49 percent on Friday from Thursday’s closing level of 2.52 percent (NYSEARCA:EWP). Italy’s ten-year bond yield declined to 4.19 percent on Thursday from Wednesday’s closing level of 4.22 percent (NYSEARCA:EWI). On London’s ICE Futures Europe Exchange, March futures for Brent crude oil declined by 35 cents (0.32 percent) to $110.75/bbl. (NYSEARCA:BNO, NYSEARCA:USO). February Gold futures advanced by $3.30 (0.20 percent) to $1,687.50 per ounce (NYSEARCA:GLD).   Gold Stutters then Blasts toward $1700 In Japan, stocks rallied as the yen fell to its lowest level in over two years as a result of ongoing monetary stimulus efforts (NYSEARCA:FXY).  The Nikkei 225 Stock Average skyrocketed 2.86 percent to 10,913 (NYSEARCA:EWJ). Friday’s American stock index futures trading saw the Nasdaq 100 future take a hit ahead of the opening bell after Intel projected capital expenditures of approximately $13 billion.  The March 13 Dow Jones Industrials future advanced 0.07 percent to 13,551 as of 9:14 EST.  The March 13 S&P 500 future rose 0.05 percent to 1,476 (NYSEARCA:SPY).  The March 13 Nasdaq 100 future declined 0.24 percent to 2,734. Bottom line:  Despite longstanding concern that China ’s economy could be headed for a “hard landing”, Friday’s economic reports suggest that those fears may be unwarranted.  Sign up for Wall Street Sector Selector’s FREE Stock Market Timing Indicator!    Disclaimer: The content included herein is for educational and informational purposes only, and readers agree to Wall Street Sector Selector’s Disclaimer , Terms of Service , and Privacy Policy before accessing or using this or any other publication by Wall Street Sector Selector or Ridgeline Media Group, LLC.