06 May 2026

Russia’s economy recorded a marginal contraction of 0.3% in the first quarter of 2026, marking its first quarterly decline in three years. The slowdown was driven by high interest rates, labour shortages, and the ongoing impact of the Ukraine war and Western sanctions. While March showed some recovery, sectors such as mining, manufacturing, construction, and retail faced pressure. Corporate profits dropped sharply, and borrowing remained limited due to elevated rates. Despite near-term challenges, higher oil prices and supply disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions may provide some support in the coming months.Read more

06 May 2026

UK-based building materials supplier SIG has indicated a likely drop in its first-half profit after reporting a 5% decline in like-for-like sales during the first quarter. Weak demand across European construction markets, impacted by poor weather and a prolonged cyclical slowdown, has weighed on performance. The company also pointed to rising energy costs and geopolitical uncertainty linked to the Iran conflict as near-term risks. However, SIG noted some improvement in trading in recent months and maintained that its cash flow remains strong and ahead of internal expectations.Read more

06 May 2026

TotalEnergies and Nextnorth have secured financing and begun construction of a 440 MWp solar park in the Philippines, with an investment of around USD 300 million. The project is expected to be operational by the end of 2027 and generate 1.2 terawatt-hours of electricity over 20 years. Around half of the power will be supplied to industrial users, while the rest will feed into the national grid. The development aligns with the Philippines’ renewable energy push and reflects TotalEnergies’ continued expansion in clean energy across Asia.Read more

05 May 2026

Dubai has eased its property-linked residency rules by removing the minimum investment requirement for single property buyers applying for a two-year visa. Earlier, investors needed property worth at least AED 750,000 to qualify. Under the revised framework, sole owners can now obtain residency regardless of property value, subject to ownership registration. The move is aimed at widening the investor base, especially in the affordable and mid-income segments. It also supports demand recovery in the real estate market and aligns with Dubai’s broader efforts to simplify property and residency processes.Read more

05 May 2026

VICI Properties has increased its full-year adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) forecast, supported by continued expansion in experiential real estate assets. The company expects steady growth from its diversified portfolio, which includes major Las Vegas casinos and newer investments in leisure segments such as wellness resorts and indoor attractions. While quarterly earnings missed analyst expectations, revenue remained stable with a modest year-on-year increase. The updated outlook reflects confidence in long-term demand trends, where consumers are prioritising experiences over traditional goods, strengthening the company’s growth visibility.Read more

05 May 2026

Regency Centers has kept its full-year financial guidance unchanged, supported by steady leasing demand across its grocery-anchored retail portfolio. The company reported first-quarter performance in line with market expectations, reflecting stable occupancy and rental growth. Its focus on premium centres in high-income neighbourhoods continues to provide resilience despite broader economic uncertainties. The REIT maintained its annual FFO and core earnings projections, indicating confidence in sustained retail demand and consistent operational performance across its portfolio.Read more

05 May 2026

Emlak Konut REIT reported total sales revenue of 29.9 billion lira from residential units and land sales during the first quarter of the year. The company sold 1,623 independent units, generating 24.3 billion lira in pre-sales value, excluding VAT. Additionally, 25 land plots were sold for 5.5 billion lira. Sales to foreign buyers remained limited, with 21 units sold for 305.8 million lira. The update reflects steady transaction activity, supported by both housing demand and land monetisation efforts.Read more

05 May 2026

Mortgage rates in the US saw a slight increase in the past week, ending a month-long decline, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association. The average 30-year fixed-rate rose to 6.37%, while overall mortgage applications dipped due to a sharp fall in refinancing activity. However, purchase applications recorded a modest rise, supported by improved housing inventory. Despite rates easing from recent highs linked to geopolitical tensions, borrowing costs remain elevated compared to pre-conflict levels. Lenders are observing slower-than-usual seasonal demand, even as the Federal Reserve is expected to maintain current interest rate levels for the near term.Read more

05 May 2026

Equinix has increased its full-year revenue guidance and expects stronger performance in the coming quarter, supported by rising enterprise spending on AI infrastructure. However, its recent quarterly results fell short of market expectations, leading to a decline in its share price. While demand for data centre services remains strong, especially from AI-led workloads, the short-term miss highlights some pressure on performance. The company also continues to expand globally, including a recent acquisition move in the Nordic region to strengthen its data centre portfolio.Read more

05 May 2026

Mid-America Apartment Communities reported a marginal decline in its first-quarter core adjusted funds from operations, reflecting softer rental demand across key US housing markets. The company attributed this trend to rising apartment supply in cities like Austin, Memphis and Phoenix. Despite the dip, the REIT maintained a largely stable outlook for 2026, with only a minor adjustment to its earnings guidance. The performance highlights the ongoing supply-demand imbalance in certain residential markets, even as long-term fundamentals for rental housing remain steady.Read more