18 Feb 2026

New Zealand's housing market recorded a mild pullback in January, with seasonally adjusted home prices slipping 1.2 percent from the previous month, according to the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand. Annual prices remained slightly higher, up 0.4 percent, showing relative stability. Home sales declined nearly 9 percent from December and were marginally lower than a year earlier. The slowdown was attributed to the summer holiday period and severe weather in parts of the North Island, with market confidence recovering slowly rather than accelerating.Read more

18 Feb 2026

Saks Global is relying heavily on its real estate holdings as it works through bankruptcy proceedings following a leveraged consolidation of major US luxury department store brands. With court-supervised financing in place, the group is using time to reassess store performance, vendor relationships, and asset monetisation options. Prime locations, legacy leases, and owned properties are emerging as critical tools in negotiations with lenders and landlords. However, internal competition, stalled vendor supply, and pressure from brand-owned boutiques continue to test the viability of the multi-brand luxury department store model.Read more

18 Feb 2026

U.S. equity markets have seen a broad selloff as investor concerns over artificial intelligence spread beyond software into financial services, real estate, insurance, and logistics. The trigger was the launch of new legal AI tools, followed by rapid AI upgrades that raised fears of automation disrupting established business models. Software stocks led the decline, dragging private credit and alternative asset managers with them. Real estate brokers, insurers, and transport firms also fell as markets reassessed labour-intensive models. Analysts remain divided on whether the impact of AI is being overstated.Read more

18 Feb 2026

January inflation data in the US came in softer than expected, strengthening the case for interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve later this year. Consumer prices rose modestly on a monthly and annual basis, easing concerns of renewed inflationary pressure. Market reactions were measured, with bond yields edging lower and equities largely unchanged. While economists acknowledged ongoing risks from labour strength and underlying services inflation, the overall trend of disinflation remains intact, keeping monetary easing firmly on the table.Read more

18 Feb 2026

Egyptians For Housing & Development Reconstruction announced a full-year net profit of EGP 74.2 million, with total revenue reaching EGP 241.6 million. The financial results were disclosed in the past week and point to stable earnings despite challenges in Egypt's real estate sector, including cost pressures and cautious market sentiment. The developer, known for its residential and land development projects, has maintained consistent profitability in recent years. The latest figures highlight steady execution and controlled financial management amid a demanding operating environment.Read more

18 Feb 2026

Australia has committed USD 2.76 billion, or AUD 3.9 billion, to advance construction of a nuclear submarine shipyard at Osborne in South Australia under the AUKUS defence pact with the US and the UK. The funding will support infrastructure development at the site, which will eventually build Australia's nuclear-powered submarines. The project forms part of Australia's largest-ever defence investment, with total shipyard costs estimated at AUD 30 billion over coming decades. Until new construction begins, the facility will maintain the existing Collins-class submarine fleet.Read more

17 Feb 2026

Seven Hills Realty Trust has secured a USD 30.5 million loan to refinance a medical office property in Atlanta, Georgia. The financing, completed during the past week, is aimed at replacing existing debt and does not involve new acquisitions or development plans. The move reflects ongoing efforts by real estate investment trusts to manage liabilities amid shifting interest rate conditions. Medical office properties continue to attract refinancing activity due to stable tenant demand, particularly in growth markets such as Atlanta.Read more

17 Feb 2026

Kim Jong Un inaugurated a new housing district in Pyongyang for families of North Korean soldiers who died during overseas military missions, state media reported. He said the project symbolised the sacrifice of the fallen and was completed early to provide comfort to bereaved families. Photographs showed Kim accompanied by his daughter, Ju Ae, whose growing public role continues to draw attention. The move follows North Korea's deployment of troops to Ukraine under a defence pact with Russia and comes ahead of the upcoming Workers Party congress.Read more

17 Feb 2026

A Hong Kong court has dismissed a 2024 winding-up petition filed against Chinese property developer Country Garden, the company said on Monday. The petition was lodged by Ever Credit Ltd, a unit of Kingboard Holdings, over alleged non-payment of a $205 million loan. The case had been adjourned at least five times since last year. The filing came shortly after a Hong Kong court ordered the liquidation of China Evergrande Group in early 2024, intensifying concerns about China's struggling property sector. The dismissal offers temporary relief to Country Garden amid a prolonged downturn that has seen falling home sales, developer defaults and weakening buyer confidence in what was once a key pillar of China's economy.Read more

17 Feb 2026

German investment group Bertelsmann has acquired an 80% controlling stake in Lets Transport, an Indian logistics platform connecting truck operators with corporates, reflecting growing global interest in India's supply chain sector. Lets Transport, operating since 2015, addresses a largely fragmented market valued around USD 14 billion. At the same time, the Supreme Court of India criticised the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA), suggesting it primarily aids defaulting builders and questioning its purpose. The court allowed Himachal Pradesh to relocate its RERA office, highlighting broader concerns about regulatory effectiveness in real estate.Read more