03 Aug 2026

Mortgage rates in the United States increased for the second consecutive week, with the average 30-year fixed-rate home loan reaching 6.76% in the week ended 24 July, close to its highest level in a year, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). The rise follows higher US Treasury yields and renewed inflation concerns linked to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Rates on 15-year fixed mortgages climbed to 6.15%, while five-year adjustable-rate mortgages increased to 5.98%. Higher borrowing costs also weighed on housing demand, with overall mortgage applications falling 6.4% during the week as refinancing and home purchase activity weakened amid ongoing affordability pressures.Read more

03 Aug 2026

The Bank of England has kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.75 per cent after inflation in the UK slowed more than expected in June, giving policymakers time to assess the economic impact of rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. While most members of the Monetary Policy Committee supported maintaining rates, a few favoured a hike due to concerns over higher energy prices triggering fresh inflation. The central bank said future policy decisions would depend on how the energy shock affects inflation, wages and overall economic activity.Read more

03 Aug 2026

National Australia Bank (NAB) has reported a 15% quarter-on-quarter decline in domestic home loan applications, indicating softer demand in Australia's housing market. The slowdown comes after tax reforms aimed at increasing housing supply and follows similar trends highlighted by other major lenders. While the bank's home and business lending books continued to expand, it also reported an increase in loans under close monitoring due to challenging business conditions. NAB said sectors such as construction, transport and storage were facing the greatest pressure, partly due to supply chain disruptions and higher freight costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East.Read more

03 Aug 2026

Webuild has improved its financial outlook for 2026 and announced a cash offer worth around USD 338 million to acquire Italian construction company Trevi Finanziaria. The revised guidance projects revenue, operating profit and net cash to surpass 2025 levels, supported by a strong order backlog. The company said it remains cautious about providing long-term financial targets due to geopolitical uncertainties and inflationary pressures. Webuild also indicated it would remain disciplined on acquisitions to safeguard its financial position despite market speculation over further takeover opportunities.Read more

02 Aug 2026

US retail real estate investment trust (REIT) Regency Centers has increased its full-year 2026 earnings guidance after reporting sustained leasing demand and rising rental rates across its grocery-anchored shopping centre portfolio. The company raised its forecast for National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (Nareit) funds from operations (FFO) and core operating earnings, reflecting resilient occupancy and rental growth despite broader economic uncertainty. Regency Centres, which owns 481 shopping centres leased to leading grocery chains and national retailers, reported second-quarter Nareit FFO of USD 1.21 per share, matching analysts' expectations. The updated outlook underscores the continued strength of necessity-based retail assets in the US commercial real estate market.Read more

02 Aug 2026

Danube Properties has announced plans to hand over 11 residential projects across Dubai over the next 12 months, marking one of the company's largest delivery programmes to date. The developments are located across Jumeirah Village Circle, Dubai Sports City, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai Maritime City, Jumeirah Village Triangle and Dubai Silicon Oasis. The developer said it has maintained its delivery schedule despite higher construction material costs resulting from recent geopolitical developments in the Gulf region. The projects are expected to add to Dubai's residential supply as the emirate continues to witness sustained activity in its real estate market, supported by infrastructure development, investor demand and ongoing economic growth.Read more

02 Aug 2026

US residential real estate investment trust (REIT) Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA) reported a decline in its second-quarter 2026 core adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) as increased apartment supply continued to weigh on rental demand across several of its key markets. The company posted core adjusted AFFO of USD 1.77 per share for the quarter ended 30 June, down from USD 1.85 a year earlier. Average effective rent per apartment declined marginally by 0.2%, while occupancy remained at 95.3%. MAA also narrowed its full-year 2026 core adjusted FFO guidance, reflecting continued resilience in operations despite a challenging leasing environment across parts of the US multifamily housing market.Read more

02 Aug 2026

Indian investors are increasingly directing capital towards Dubai’s commercial real estate market, expanding beyond their traditionally strong presence in the emirate’s residential sector. Industry estimates indicate that Indian buyers accounted for nearly 23% of all foreign residential transactions in the UAE, investing around AED 37–41 billion (approximately INR 85,000–95,000 crore) during 2025. The shift reflects growing interest in income-generating office, logistics and industrial assets that offer stable rental returns and portfolio diversification. Dubai’s strategic location, transparent regulatory environment, business-friendly policies, currency stability and expanding financial and logistics sectors continue to support demand for Grade A commercial properties, attracting high-net-worth individuals, family offices and business owners seeking long-term international investment opportunities.Read more

01 Aug 2026

US apartment real estate investment trust (REIT) Essex Property Trust reported second-quarter 2026 core funds from operations (FFO) above market expectations, supported by continued rental growth across Northern California. The company posted core FFO of USD 4.08 per share, exceeding analysts' estimate of USD 4.04 per share. Revenue from its Northern California portfolio increased 4.4% year-on-year, while Southern California recorded 1.5% growth. Essex also reaffirmed confidence in its operating outlook by projecting full-year 2026 adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) of between USD 16.03 and USD 16.25 per share, with the midpoint exceeding analysts' forecasts. The results reflect sustained demand for rental housing in supply-constrained coastal markets.Read more

01 Aug 2026

Schneider Electric has raised its full-year 2026 profit guidance after reporting stronger-than-expected first-half earnings, supported by sustained demand from the global data centre sector. The French industrial group, which supplies power management and cooling systems for data centres, exceeded analysts' expectations for adjusted EBITA in the first half of the year. While the company remains optimistic about growth, it cautioned that ongoing tensions in the Middle East could disrupt global supply chains and add inflationary pressure in the second half of the year. Currency fluctuations also weighed on second-quarter revenue.Read more