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New Zealand's Housing Loan Risks Accumulate Despite Interest Rate CutsNew Zealand's Housing Loan Risks Accumulate Despite Interest Rate Cuts

New Zealand's Housing Loan Risks Accumulate Despite Interest Rate Cuts

Despite the Reserve Bank of New Zealand initiating an interest - rate - cutting cycle in August 2024 and the continuous decline in mortgage rates, risks in the housing loan sector are steadily mounting. As of March 2025, the total amount of non - performing housing loans reached NZ$2.412 billion, an increase of NZ$249 million (11.5%) from the beginning of the year.
UK Economy Shows Mixed Signals: Ebbing Housing Policy and Pressured ManufacturingUK Economy Shows Mixed Signals: Ebbing Housing Policy and Pressured Manufacturing

UK Economy Shows Mixed Signals: Ebbing Housing Policy and Pressured Manufacturing

The UK economy is displaying divergent signals, with the housing market and manufacturing sector showing contrasting trends. In March, mortgage lending in the UK increased by £12.963 billion, reaching a new high since June 2021. This was driven by homebuyers rushing to take advantage of the first - time buyer tax - break before it ended on April 1st. However, the housing market cooled rapidly after the policy ended.
One in Four French Households Live in Severely Under-Occupied Homes: Insee StudyOne in Four French Households Live in Severely Under-Occupied Homes: Insee Study

One in Four French Households Live in Severely Under-Occupied Homes: Insee Study

A study released by France’s National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (l'Insee) on Tuesday, July 8, reveals that a quarter of French households reside in severely under-occupied homes—defined as having at least three more rooms than actually needed. This phenomenon affects 7.6 million primary residences, 93% of which are single-family houses, with three-quarters of these under-occupied homes exceeding 100 square meters in size.
Canada Launches Largest - scale Economic Reform since WWIICanada Launches Largest - scale Economic Reform since WWII

Canada Launches Largest - scale Economic Reform since WWII

Canada's Prime Minister Carney has announced the launch of the largest - scale economic transformation since World War II. The core measures include tax cuts for the middle class starting from July (a two - income family can save 825 Canadian dollars annually), the removal of internal trade barriers within the federation, reducing the proportion of temporary workers and international students to less than 5% by 2027
Canadian Stocks Reach New Monthly High, Led by Industrials and Energy Sectors with Tariff Concerns LurkingCanadian Stocks Reach New Monthly High, Led by Industrials and Energy Sectors with Tariff Concerns Lurking

Canadian Stocks Reach New Monthly High, Led by Industrials and Energy Sectors with Tariff Concerns Lurking

On May 2nd, the S&P/TSX Composite Index in Canada rose 1% to 25,031.51, hitting a one - month high with a weekly gain of 1.3%. The market was boosted by the better - than - expected US employment data, which alleviated recession concerns. Coupled with the easing of trade tensions between China and the US, risk appetite recovered
Japan's Economy Shrinks in Q1 as US Tariffs Hit Auto IndustryJapan's Economy Shrinks in Q1 as US Tariffs Hit Auto Industry

Japan's Economy Shrinks in Q1 as US Tariffs Hit Auto Industry

Japan's economy is expected to have shrunk by 0.2% on an annualized basis in the first quarter, the first negative growth in a year, according to a Reuters poll. The main reasons are weak domestic demand and imports growing faster than exports. Private consumption increased only slightly by 0.1%, as rising food prices curbed spending. Capital expenditure rose by 0.8%, but net exports dragged down GDP by 0.6%.
Tokyo's Nikkei Index Extends Winning Streak to Seven Days on Yen WeaknessTokyo's Nikkei Index Extends Winning Streak to Seven Days on Yen Weakness

Tokyo's Nikkei Index Extends Winning Streak to Seven Days on Yen Weakness

Tokyo's stock market continued its winning streak on May 2nd, with the Nikkei 225 index closing 378.39 points higher at 36,830.69, a 1.04% increase. This marks the seventh consecutive trading day of gains. The depreciation of the yen against the US dollar buoyed the market, with the export - oriented sectors leading the bulls. The index briefly approached the 37,000 - point mark during the session.
UK Stocks Surge with Record - Long Rally, Led by Energy and Finance SectorsUK Stocks Surge with Record - Long Rally, Led by Energy and Finance Sectors

UK Stocks Surge with Record - Long Rally, Led by Energy and Finance Sectors

The UK's FTSE 100 index climbed 1.2% on May 2nd, registering its 15th consecutive daily gain and setting a new record for the longest streak of rises in its history. It is now just 3% below its March peak. Global trade tensions have eased, with signs of the US and China reopening negotiations on tariffs, and better - than - expected corporate earnings have boosted market sentiment and risk appetite.
Australian Consumer Spending Shows Signs of Moderate Recovery, Rate - Cut Expectations StrengthenedAustralian Consumer Spending Shows Signs of Moderate Recovery, Rate - Cut Expectations Strengthened

Australian Consumer Spending Shows Signs of Moderate Recovery, Rate - Cut Expectations Strengthened

Australia's retail sales in March increased by 0.3% month - on - month and 4.3% year - on - year, expanding for the third consecutive month, indicating the resilience of household consumption. Food retail led the growth with a 0.7% increase, mainly due to the fact that families in Queensland stocked up on necessities in response to Hurricane Alfred, which significantly drove up the transaction volume of this category. However, catering services and department store sales declined by 0.5%, reflecting that non - essential spending is still restrained. There is obvious regional differentiation.
New Zealand: Housing Market Shifts to Buyer's Favor, Unemployment Rate May Reach Eight - year HighNew Zealand: Housing Market Shifts to Buyer's Favor, Unemployment Rate May Reach Eight - year High

New Zealand: Housing Market Shifts to Buyer's Favor, Unemployment Rate May Reach Eight - year High

As winter approaches, New Zealand's real estate market is tilting further towards buyers. In April, the national average asking price for residential properties dropped for the second consecutive month to NZ$851,746, a 3.8% decrease from the peak in February. Major cities like Auckland and Wellington have seen significant declines. The surge in housing supply is the main pressure point, with the number of houses for sale doubling to 35,924 in four years. Although inventory has decreased slightly recently, sales activity has not picked up correspondingly.
UK Family Income Disparities WorsenUK Family Income Disparities Worsen

UK Family Income Disparities Worsen

The latest data from the UK's Office for National Statistics on May 2nd shows that, after inflation adjustment, the median disposable income of UK households remained at £36,700 for the fiscal year 2024 (from April 2023 to March 2024), returning to the pre - pandemic level. However, the wealth gap continues to widen. The median income of the poorest one - fifth of households decreased by 2.6% to £16,800, 4.9% lower than before the pandemic.
ANZ Bank Cuts Australia's Economic Growth Forecast, Banks Face Key TestsANZ Bank Cuts Australia's Economic Growth Forecast, Banks Face Key Tests

ANZ Bank Cuts Australia's Economic Growth Forecast, Banks Face Key Tests

On May 5, the ANZ Bank lowered its economic growth forecast for Australia in 2025 to 2.0%. The main reasons are the slowdown in global demand and geopolitical risks weighing on exports. With the growth rate of CPI in the first quarter falling, the market expects that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) may cut interest rates by 25 basis points ahead of schedule this month,

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