01 Nov 2025

Pending home sales in the U.S. remained unchanged in September, as economic uncertainty and a weak labour market outweighed the benefits of falling borrowing costs. The National Association of Realtors reported no monthly change, following a 4.2% rise in August, while sales were down 0.9% year-on-year. Regionally, contracts fell in the Midwest and West, but rose in the South and Northeast. The average 30-year mortgage rate eased to 6.30%, yet affordability issues kept buyers cautious. Analysts cited the ongoing government shutdown, rising unemployment, and job cuts as key drags on sentiment. While refinancing surged, new home purchases lagged, underscoring a fragile housing recovery amid persistent economic headwinds.Read more

01 Nov 2025

Hong Kong home prices rose 1.3% month-on-month, marking the sixth consecutive monthly gain and the strongest increase since March 2024, according to the Rating and Valuation Department. The property-price index has now turned positive for the year, up 1.1% since December. This follows a sharp 30% decline from the 2021 peak, driven by high mortgage rates and weak demand. Recent rate cuts by major banks and relaxed housing curbs have begun to stabilise the market. Analysts suggest prices may have reached a bottom, though recovery will hinge on further interest rate cuts and an easing of U.S.-China trade tensions.Read more

01 Nov 2025

The UAE and Oman have signed an agreement to launch the region's first dedicated cross-border freight rail service, linking Abu Dhabi and Sohar. The deal between Hafeet Rail and Noatum Logistics will see seven container trains per week, each carrying 276 TEUs, enabling an annual capacity of nearly 193,200 TEUs. The service will transport goods such as manufactured items, food, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products, reducing costs, transit time, and carbon emissions. Announced at Global Rail 2025, the project supports both nations' sustainability and diversification goals, marking a milestone in green logistics and regional trade integration, and positioning the UAE-Oman corridor as a model for efficient, eco-friendly freight transport.Read more

01 Nov 2025

Universal Health Realty Income Trust recorded a stable net income of USD 4 million in its recent quarter, with earnings per share unchanged at USD 0.29. The company's funds from operations increased by USD 908,000, primarily due to a one-time settlement related to a medical office building. A nonrecurring depreciation expense of USD 900,000 impacted overall income. Universal Health Realty also announced a new building project in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, though no specific financial guidance was provided for the upcoming periods.Read more

01 Nov 2025

Poland's oil-terminal operator Naftoport, majority-owned by state pipeline firm PERN, plans to build a new jetty at its Gdansk terminal beginning this year. When it comes online in the latter half of 2028, the facility's annual capacity will rise to about 49 million metric tons. The expansion aims to relieve pressure on existing infrastructure, as the terminal has been near full capacity since 2023, and will enable Germany's refineries such as PCK Schwedt and Leuna to shift fully to seaborne crude. Throughput this year is projected to exceed 39 million metric tons and remain steady into 2026.Read more

01 Nov 2025

Westpac's RAMS Financial Group has been fined USD 13 million for home loan misconduct involving falsified payslips and dealings with unlicensed mortgage operators. Between 2019 and 2023, the subsidiary failed to supervise representatives properly and did not ensure customers were protected from conflicts of interest. RAMS stopped issuing new loans last year and completed remediation in 2024. The penalty was already reflected in Westpac's 2025 half-year results. The case follows ongoing regulatory scrutiny of Australian banks, including ANZ's record AUD 240 million fine for multiple breaches.Read more

31 Oct 2025

Extra Space Storage Inc., one of the leading self-storage real estate investment trusts (REITs) in the United States, announced financial results indicating steady operational performance but softer growth expectations for 2025. The company projected annual core funds from operations (FFO) between USD 8.12 and USD 8.20 per share, slightly below Wall Street's average estimate. Despite a modest decline in same-store revenue and higher operating costs, total quarterly revenue surpassed expectations. The company continues to face pricing and occupancy challenges but remains optimistic about gradual market stabilization.Read more

31 Oct 2025

Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX: AP.UN) reported a 3% decline in operating income for the third quarter compared with the same period last year. The company attributed this to a slower pace of lease signings, which has limited occupancy growth across its portfolio. Higher interest expenses, up 13.2% year-on-year to CAD 35.5 million, further impacted earnings as property sales were delayed. The REIT expects its same-asset NOI to fall by 1% in 2025 and anticipates a 10% decline in diluted FFO and AFFO per unit, while confirming it will not meet its 90% occupancy goal by year-end.Read more

31 Oct 2025

Forestar Group Inc. reported a 22% year-on-year increase in fourth-quarter revenue to USD 670.5 million, surpassing analyst expectations. The company sold 4,891 lots during the quarter, down 9% from last year, but higher lot prices helped boost overall revenue. Net income declined 17% for fiscal 2025, reflecting increased costs and lower lot sales. Forestar expects to deliver 14,000-15,000 lots in fiscal 2026 with projected revenue between USD 1.6 billion and USD 1.7 billion. The firm emphasized its solid liquidity position and ongoing support from homebuilder D.R. Horton.Read more

31 Oct 2025

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved a record USD 295 million in grants and concessional loans to support Jordan's USD 6 billion Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project. The initiative aims to provide around 300 million cubic metres of desalinated water annually to almost half of Jordan's population. With rising temperatures, declining rainfall, and severe water scarcity, the project has become a national priority. The United States and other partners are also extending financial support, making this one of the largest water projects in the region.Read more