The housing market in New Zealand has been experiencing fluctuating trends, with predictions of a 6% rise in house prices next year. This forecast comes after a recent decline in prices, which saw home values drop nationally from NZ$800,000 to NZ$753,000 earlier this year. Despite this decline, prices are still relatively high, sitting just 19%
Real Estate
Recent data from an official factory survey in China has revealed that manufacturing has slowed to a six-month low in August. The official Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) declined to 49.1, below the 50-mark that separates growth from contraction. This marks the fourth consecutive month of decline, highlighting a concerning trend for the world’s second-largest economy.
The S&P 500 showed signs of recovery after a weak Thursday close, with indications suggesting that interest rate sensitive plays would perform better than large caps on Friday. This shift was seen as a result of rates not posing a threat and growing confidence in a soft landing. The implications of this were evident in
In anticipation of the Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest rate decision in September, more investors are turning their attention towards dividend stocks. According to Paul Baiocchi, the chief ETF strategist at SS&C ALPS Advisors, this shift is a smart move considering the expected easing of rates by the Fed. Baiocchi pointed out that investors are transitioning
The landscape of work in the United States has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, with the rise of remote work taking center stage. Initially propelled to the forefront during the Covid-19 pandemic, remote work has since established itself as a prevalent feature of the labor market, according to leading economists such as Nick
The Australian Dollar has shown signs of advancing its gains as the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Minutes indicated that current cash rates are likely to remain for a longer period. This suggests that a rate cut in the near future is unlikely. RBA’s August Meeting Minutes have played a significant role in boosting the
In recent interviews with state media, People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng expressed that China’s financial risks have seen a decline, particularly in relation to local government debt. He mentioned that the central bank is collaborating with the Ministry of Finance to ensure that China meets its growth targets for the year. Pan emphasized
In July, the Greater Toronto area experienced a decrease in home sales on a month-to-month basis according to data released by the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB). This decline of 1.7% in seasonally adjusted sales came after a surprise increase of 3.2% in June, marking the end of a four-month streak of decreasing home
China’s manufacturing activity showed a decline for the third consecutive month in July, according to an official factory survey. The official purchasing managers’ index (PMI) dropped to 49.4 in July from 49.5 in June, falling below the 50-mark that separates growth from contraction. This decline has raised concerns about the need for Beijing to introduce
In July, the Small and Medium Enterprise Index (SMEI) rebounded to 50.4, showing signs of recovery in expectations and credit conditions. This improvement was evidenced by a rise from 49.9 in June, bringing the SMEI back into expansionary territory. Standard Chartered economists Hunter Chan and Shuang Ding noted that this rebound was largely due to
The second-quarter results of U.S. banks have revealed a concerning trend of increased provisions for credit losses, driven by deteriorating commercial real estate (CRE) loans and high-interest rates. In response to this, regional lenders like M&T Bank are gradually reducing their exposure to the troubled CRE sector and repositioning their balance sheets to concentrate on
Recent statements from top Chinese officials have highlighted the country’s commitment to focusing on its own affairs amidst escalating trade tensions with various nations. Han Wenxiu, deputy director at the Chinese Communist Party’s central committee office for financial and economic affairs, emphasized the importance of concentrating on internal matters to ensure the smooth running of