UK Commercial Property Data Response CIPS/Markit Construction PMI (Mar.) The construction PMI moved down to 57.8 in March, meaning that it has reversed the gains made over the first two months of the year. Nevertheless, the rise in the future business expectations index to... 3rd April 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update Do buy-to-let investors have an advantage over other buyers? The ability to deduct mortgage interest before paying tax on rental income does not offer buy-to-let investors an advantage over owner-occupiers. But the fact that investors are not subject to the... 2nd April 2015 · 1 min read
Emerging Markets Economic Outlook In the footsteps of the Fed? The recent run of poor data from around the emerging world is likely to set the tone for the rest of this year. Brazil’s struggles look set to continue, Russia is likely to slip deeper into recession... 2nd April 2015 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Applications (Mar.) Weak data for March show that the mortgage market continues to stagnate. However, although refinancing activity will fade as interest rates rise, the conditions are in place for stronger home purchase... 2nd April 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Lending (Feb.) Mortgage approvals for house purchase increased to a six-month high in February, helped by record low mortgage rates and rising employment. As lenders become more comfortable with the new regulatory... 31st March 2015 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Outlook Housing will continue to normalise A gradual rise in borrowing costs as the Fed raises interest rates from historic lows won’t derail the housing recovery. We expect favourable affordability, looser credit conditions and the strength... 27th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Nationwide (Mar.) & Land Registry (Feb.) House Prices The Nationwide reported house prices more-or-less held their ground in March, pushing the annual rate down to its lowest level since September 2013. But the Land Registry reported stronger gains and... 27th March 2015 · 1 min read
China Economics Focus Outlook for China has actually brightened The recent news on China's economy has been generally downbeat. But less attention has been paid to some encouraging structural shifts which mean that the risks of a slump in growth have diminished... 27th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Commercial Property Chart Pack Rental growth starts to take centre-stage The economy moved closer to deflation in February as headline CPI inflation fell to zero. In principle, falling prices could undermine the recovery as consumers defer spending. But, deflation is... 25th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response BBA Mortgage Lending (Feb.) A strong economic backdrop, and early signs that lenders are seeking to raise the availability of loans helped mortgage approvals increase for the second month in a row. Both factors should continue... 25th March 2015 · 1 min read
Middle East & North Africa Chart Pack Saudi Arabia refuses to budge Even though oil prices continue to languish at around $55pb, there is still no sign that Saudi Arabia will give in to pressure from other OPEC members to cut oil output. Oil Minister, Ali al-Naimi... 25th March 2015 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response New Home Sales (Feb.) Together with the rise in existing home sales reported yesterday, the surge in new home sales, to a seven-year high in February, appears to confirm that the weakness in housing activity at the start... 24th March 2015 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Existing Home Sales (Feb.) The modest rise in existing home sales in February suggests that the market is now recovering after a weak start to the year. Looser credit conditions and the strength of the wider economy should... 23rd March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Update Help to Buy ISA could slow housing market in short term The Help to Buy ISA has the potential to boost house prices over a two to six year horizon. But we expect it will dampen activity in the short term, as prospective buyers hold back to provide their... 18th March 2015 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Housing Starts (Feb.) The collapse in housing starts in February was largely a result of the unseasonably severe winter weather affecting the Northeast. With the wider economy growing strongly and credit conditions... 17th March 2015 · 1 min read
Canada Data Response Teranet-National Bank House Prices (Feb.) The Teranet-National Bank index shows that house price inflation slowed to 4.4% in February, from 4.7% in January, partly due to the abrupt slowdown in housing activity in regions hit by the slump in... 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
