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
US Housing Market Update Is household formation set for a rebound? A fall in the share of young adults living with their parents should provide a boost to household formation over the next few years. This is an upside risk to our forecasts for sales and housing... 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response RICS Residential Market Survey (Feb.) Housing demand finally stabilised in February according to RICS surveyors, but the lack of homes for sale appears to be weighing on buyer enquiries. But that same lack of properties on the market is... 12th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Lenders and Administrators Statistics (Q4) Despite a further drop in mortgage rates, banks and building societies have cut back their mortgage lending. That reflects a stricter lending environment, with the share of high loan-to-value and loan... 10th March 2015 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Chart Pack A temporary surge in house price growth The CoreLogic measure of house prices surged by a seasonally-adjusted 1.4% m/m in January, the largest monthly gain in almost two years. This acceleration appears to have been caused by the tightness... 10th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Chart Pack Housing market activity showing some signs of life While far from conclusive, a number of indicators are pointing to a revival in housing market activity. The reform to stamp duty will have helped to boost demand, but more fundamentally record low... 6th March 2015 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Halifax House Prices (Feb.) Given how volatile the Halifax house price index has been in recent months, we wouldn’t read too much into the marginal fall recorded in February. After all, the underlying trend in prices is still... 5th March 2015 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Applications (Feb.) The rise in mortgage rates put a dampener on mortgage applications in February. However, with affordability set to remain favourable and the wider economy growing strongly, mortgage volumes and home... 4th March 2015 · 1 min read
