Canada Chart Pack Multi-unit home building still in overdrive The unexpected decline in housing starts in October, which was driven by a sharp drop in the volatile multi-unit segment, is likely to be reversed in the coming months, reigniting concerns about... 11th November 2014 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response CML Lending Trends (2014 Q3) The growth in mortgage lending continued to slow in the third quarter according to the CML. But the MMR has not led to a sharp drop in LTI or LTV ratios, and lending should pick up once housing demand... 11th November 2014 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Update Valuation picture weighing on housing market confidence We are not convinced that September’s drop in realtor confidence will herald another large dip in home sales. But it is another reminder that housing valuations are starting to become a drag, rather... 6th November 2014 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Halifax House Prices (Oct.) The latest Halifax house price index brought further evidence that the sharp drop in active housing demand since the turn of the year has taken much of the steam out of house prices. 6th November 2014 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Applications (Oct.) The decline in mortgage interest rates to a 17-month low in October provided a temporary boost to refinancing activity. Mortgage applications for home purchase were still languishing in the doldrums... 5th November 2014 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response CoreLogic House Prices (Sep.) The month-on-month increase in house prices in September suggests that the housing market is putting the very weak mid-year period behind it. But underlying rates of house price appreciation are still... 4th November 2014 · 1 min read
Global Markets Outlook Bubble in US Treasuries should deflate soon If recent history is any guide, Fed tightening is unlikely to derail stock markets to the extent that many fear. Our view is that while US equities will struggle to make further headway, they will... 31st October 2014 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Focus Weighing up the FHFA’s mortgage proposals Proposals to lower the minimum down-payment on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac-backed mortgages at the same time as reducing banks’ exposure to put-back risk may help accelerate the modest loosening in... 31st October 2014 · 1 min read
UK Economics Weekly Cooling housing market won’t freeze the recovery Given the perceived boost to the economic recovery from strong gains in house prices over the past year or so, signs that the housing market is beginning to cool may raise concerns that the overall... 31st October 2014 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Nationwide House Prices (Oct.) House prices increased in October following a dip in the previous month, according to the Nationwide. But the bigger picture is that, with housing demand constrained, underlying house price growth... 30th October 2014 · 1 min read
China Chart Pack Bank lending under pressure from new deposit rules New rules requiring banks to ensure that deposits at the end of each month deviate by no more than 3% from the monthly average are a new headwind for China’s economy. The rules are designed to prevent... 30th October 2014 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Mortgage Lending (Sep.) According to the Bank of England, mortgage approvals fell once again in September, to a 14-month low. But with economic conditions still favourable, this weak patch shouldn’t last much longer. 29th October 2014 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response Homeownership & Vacancy Rates & Case-Shiller (Q3/Aug.) Today’s housing market data revealed a further slowdown in underlying house price growth, but the outlook for rental value growth is strengthening. 28th October 2014 · 1 min read
Europe Commercial Property Update Italian investment volumes set to grow after bank stress tests A low volume of “bad asset” sales helps to explain why Italy’s investment growth has lagged behind other countries. Yet the recent bank stress tests, combined with changes to the Italian REIT... 28th October 2014 · 1 min read
UK Housing Market Data Response Land Registry Repeat Sales Index (Sep.) Following two months of very strong month-on-month growth, house prices dipped by 0.2% in September according to the Land Registry. Subdued demand suggests house price gains will continue to... 28th October 2014 · 1 min read
US Housing Market Data Response New Home Sales (Sep.) New home sales stalled in September, following the previous month’s jump. But with the economic backdrop still favourable and mortgage rates low, we expect sales will resume their upwards trend soon. 24th October 2014 · 1 min read