Friday, February 13, 2009

RICS Global RE Weekly: Chinese Real Estate to Gain Some Support from Stimulus

HONG KONG, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The latest edition of the RICS global commercial property survey is due in the coming weeks. This will provide a key indication of whether the massive Chinese fiscal stimulus and relaxation of lending policies are having any effect on reviving the commercial property sector. The lowering of bank reserve requirements alongside five cuts in interest rates since September 2008 has had some initial success in boosting the money supply. The M2 broad measure of money supply ballooned during January to 1.62 trillion yuan up from 772 billion yuan in December.

No sign of end to the gloom for US housebuilders

The release of February's NAHB's sentiment index on Tuesday 17th followed by housing starts for January on Wednesday 18th will provide another snapshot of the housebuilding sector in the US. It's likely to be another round of depressing numbers, even though it is hard to believe that the sector could sink any lower.

Japan construction spending to slow as economy worsens

Data on construction spending in Japan is due for release on Tuesday 17th. The November numbers highlighted a contrast between the public and private sectors with activity in the former being reined in while the latter continued to post healthy gains.

Boost to the euro area infrastructure sector

Euro area construction data for December is due for release by Eurostat on Wednesday 18th. In November, construction output fell by 5.2% y/y although most of this decline was on account of base effects (the monthly fall came in at 1.7%).

Please download from the following for the complete report content: http://www.creativegp.com/belinda/RICSGlobalRealEstateWeekly-Feb13.pdf .

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