03 Apr 2026

Canada's major banks have a combined exposure of around CAD 880 million (USD 634.33 million) to non-prime lender goeasy, as per TD Cowen analysts. The company recently withdrew its financial forecast, reduced its dividend and reported losses linked to weaknesses in its loan book, particularly in auto and vehicle financing. Despite this, analysts believe the exposure does not pose a significant risk to banks, as their lending is directed at the company and not its borrowers. Goeasy has also secured temporary relief on loan covenants and continues to access funding through structured facilities.Read more

03 Apr 2026

Hong Kong's Grade-A office market in Central is showing signs of stabilisation after nearly seven years of decline, supported by strong capital market activity and rising demand from financial and Chinese firms. A surge in IPO fundraising over the past year has driven both leasing and investment activity in prime office towers. While rents and prices have begun to improve, the recovery remains limited to select high-quality assets. Oversupply in other districts continues to weigh on the broader market, even as vacancy rates in Central gradually improve and investor confidence returns.Read more

03 Apr 2026

Hillhouse Investment Management has set up a new office in Abu Dhabi's financial centre, continuing its expansion despite ongoing conflict in the region. The move comes as businesses face disruptions due to geopolitical tensions following coordinated strikes on Iran and retaliatory actions across Gulf countries. The United Arab Emirates continues to attract global firms due to its tax-friendly policies and business environment. Abu Dhabi Global Market has seen strong growth in assets under management and active licences. Hillhouse, with over USD 100 billion in assets, is also expanding its presence across private equity, real estate and private credit.Read more

03 Apr 2026

Rightmove, the UK's leading property portal, is facing a USD 2 billion lawsuit filed by estate agents, accusing it of abusing its market dominance through high subscription fees. Led by Jeremy Newman and supported by over 250 agencies, the claim has drawn attention as shares fell nearly 9%. The portal has rejected the allegations, citing the value it offers to partners and consumers. The legal action is backed by Innsworth Capital with support from Scott+Scott UK LLP. Market challenges and global conflicts have intensified pressures on the UK property sector.Read more

03 Apr 2026

U.S. mortgage rates have risen to 6.57%, the highest since August, largely due to inflation fears fueled by the U.S.-Israel conflict in Iran and rising oil prices. Refinancing applications dropped 17.3%, while home purchase applications fell 2.6%. The 10-year Treasury yield, which heavily influences mortgage rates, climbed as the Middle East tensions disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, pushing global crude prices above USD 118 per barrel. Economists note that although a buyer's market is easing some pressure, overall economic uncertainty is affecting buyer confidence.Read more

03 Apr 2026

China's new home prices in 100 cities saw a slight month-on-month increase in March, reversing the small decline in February, driven by seasonal demand in major cities. Higher-quality projects in core cities supported a modest recovery in sales, though analysts warn that weak employment and elevated inventory continue to weigh on market sentiment. The prolonged property downturn, triggered by government borrowing curbs since 2020, has strained developer liquidity. Ongoing geopolitical tensions and a potential shift toward second-hand homes add uncertainty to the sustainability of this recovery.Read more

02 Apr 2026

South Korean robotics maker EveryBot Inc has moved to sell real estate assets valued at about 26 billion won (approximately USD 19.4 million) as part of a strategic shift in its business operations. The company, listed on the Korea Exchange under the code 270660.KQ, disclosed the intention to divest property holdings in a filing earlier this week. This decision comes amid broader efforts by tech and robotics firms in the region to streamline balance sheets and focus on core business segments. EveryBot's asset sale follows its history of product collaborations and previous investments in robotics ventures.Read more

02 Apr 2026

Berkeley has revised its growth and profit plans due to geopolitical tensions and economic pressures affecting the housing market. The company expects pre-tax profits of over 1.4 billion pounds (USD 1.9 billion) from fiscal 2027 to 2030, with margins of 17.5%-19.5%, below previous levels. Rising construction costs and regulatory burdens have led Berkeley to halt land purchases and slow investments, while reducing operating costs to protect its balance sheet. Shareholders will continue to receive returns through dividends and buybacks, though analysts caution about a slower earnings trajectory.Read more

02 Apr 2026

Hong Kong's retail sales surged 19.3% in February from a year earlier, marking ten months of consecutive growth. Total sales reached HKINR 35 billion (USD 4.47 billion), with sales volume up 17.5%, the highest since March 2023. Visitor arrivals, particularly from mainland China, rose sharply, supporting retail demand. Jewellery, watches, and fashion products saw notable growth. Government officials highlighted the strong local economy and rising inbound tourism as key drivers. This growth underscores the combined impact of consumer confidence and a recovery in tourism spending.Read more

02 Apr 2026

Sansiri PCL sold 225,000 shares of Anima Co to Mitsui Fudosan Asia Development (Thailand) for a total of 22.5 million INR. The sale is part of Sansiri's broader strategy to optimize its investment portfolio and concentrate on core real estate development projects. Analysts note that such disposals enable companies to reallocate capital efficiently and strengthen strategic partnerships in the region. The move continues Sansiri's past efforts to adjust its holdings in non-core businesses, aiming to improve operational focus and maximize shareholder value in a competitive Thai real estate market.Read more