China’s financial institutions urged to support property developers

China’s financial institutions urged to support property developers

An artwork juxtaposing Chinese yuan cash bills with the China’s flag Javier Ghersi | Moment | Getty Images China’s financial institutions should provide strong support to the country’s beleaguered real estate sector and not “blindly withdraw” financing for projects facing difficulties, according to a senior Chinese financial regulatory official. His strongly worded comments follow the … Read more

Home sales dampened by severe winter weather, Redfin says

Home sales dampened by severe winter weather, Redfin says

A “For Sale” sign stands outside a home following a snow fall in Geneseo, Illinois, U.S., on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. The National Association Of Realtors is scheduled to release Existing Homes Sales figures on January 22. Photographer: Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Severe winter weather is hindering home sales across the country, according … Read more

Hamptons La Dune mansion once listed for $150 million sells at auction

Hamptons La Dune mansion once listed for 0 million sells at auction

A Hamptons estate that once listed for $150 million before falling into bankruptcy was sold at auction Wednesday for $88.5 million. The four-acre estate in Southampton, New York, known as La Dune, was sold by Concierge Auctions at a starting bid of $66 million. The property was sold in two parts — one house sold … Read more

China’s PBOC announces RRR cut as it seeks to boost growth

China’s PBOC announces RRR cut as it seeks to boost growth

Pan Gongsheng was named party secretary of the People’s Bank of China on July 1, 2023. Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images BEIJING — China pledged to reduce the amount of liquidity that its banks are required to hold as reserves early next month in its bid to boost its struggling economy. Reserve … Read more

China strategist warns of deflation and rock-bottom consumer confidence

China strategist warns of deflation and rock-bottom consumer confidence

BEIJNG, CHINA – NOVEMBER 13: Illuminated skyscrapers stand at the central business district at sunset on November 13, 2023 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Gao Zehong/VCG via Getty Images) Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images Deflation may soon start biting into Chinese growth, as Beijing looks at another three to six months of … Read more

Insurance costs hit corporate earnings at Travelers and J.B. Hunt

Insurance costs hit corporate earnings at Travelers and J.B. Hunt

A stealth inflationary cost is biting into corporate profits. While some companies are now seeing lower input and freight costs, one expense is not falling: insurance. In its earnings report Friday morning, Dow component Travelers said insurance premiums that it charges are still soaring. Premiums on business policies jumped 14% in the last quarter. Consumers … Read more

December home sales slump to close out worst year since 1995

December home sales slump to close out worst year since 1995

A delivery man delivers packages in a Los Angeles neighborhood on January 17, 2024.  Frederic J. Brown | AFP | Getty Images Sales of previously owned homes fell 1% in December compared with November to 3.78 million units on a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, according to the National Association of Realtors. Sales were 6.2% lower than … Read more

January homebuilder sentiment improves, following mortgage rate drop

January homebuilder sentiment improves, following mortgage rate drop

A home is constructed at a housing development on June 21, 2023 in Lemont, Illinois. Scott Olson | Getty Images Homebuilder sentiment improved in January, jumping 7 points to 44 on the National Association of Home Builders monthly index. Anything below 50 is still considered negative, but the index has now moved 10 points higher … Read more

Mortgage demand surges more than 10% as lower interest rates lure homebuyers

Mortgage demand surges more than 10% as lower interest rates lure homebuyers

Prospective home buyers visit a home for sale during an Open House in a neighborhood in Clarksburg, Maryland on September 3, 2023. Homeownership feels increasingly out of reach for younger generations of Americans, who are squeezed by student debt and childcare costs in an era of slower economic growth. The pressures come as President Joe … Read more