The umbrella revolution – so named because of the umbrellas that protesters are using to protect against tear gas and the weather – has been going on for over a week now. Heather Timmons looked at what this meant for Hong Kong’s economy:

• China’s ban on tour groups visiting Hong Kong was expected to hurt the service sector as two thirds of visitors to Hong Kong are from the mainland. However tourism has actually increased as visitors arrive to shop and view the protests.
• Retailers may have lost $284 million in sales according to one group, although the reality is murky. Others are reporting that the protests are actually boosting sales.
• While the stock market has taken a hit, traders have generated more in fees due to higher trading volumes as skittish investors reevaluate their portfolios.
• All in all, the Chinese government’s assertion that the protests could cost Hong Kong $5.2 billion seem unfounded.

Read more about the economic impact of the protests over here.

Source: Quartz