ULI’s first China Cities Survey report, based on a survey conducted this past March to gauge investment and development prospects for 16 of China’s larger cities, found the majority to be “of strong interest” to investors active in the region. Read which cities ranked highest for investment possibilities and how they stacked up against U.S. and European cities.
The top nine trends in this month’s Barometer point to low-level limbo in the economy, diverging signals in the capital markets, and renewed challenges in the housing market. Compared with a year ago, 52 percent of the key indicators in the Barometer are better while 48 percent are worse.
The top 8 trends in this month’s Barometer point to an evolving fragility as economic indicators reacted strongly to early August’s federal political and financial turmoil; real estate capital markets are mixed, if only because some key positive indicators are reported on a lagging basis; and housing data remains weak.
This month’s Barometer data are a study in disparity. Whether this turns out to be the calm before the storm remains to be seen. Second-quarter GDP growth was alarmingly weak; capital markets indicators fared well; commercial real estate fundamentals improved for apartments and hotels; and the weak housing data stay weak.
Yet another blow to hopes for a speedy recovery dominates this month’s Barometer data. Job growth was stunningly low and the previous month’s low employment growth was revised even lower; capital markets indicators were mixed at best; and the weak housing data remained weak.
A jarring blow to hopes for a smooth, if not speedy, recovery dominates this month’s Barometer data. Job growth was the lowest in eight months and the impact of rising food and energy prices was widespread; capital markets indicators were down; and the weak housing data stay weak.
Robust employment growth dominates this month’s Barometer economic data, seesawing continues in the capital markets, property fundamentals are somewhat improved, and the weak housing data stay very weak. Overall, 54 percent of key indicators in the Barometer are worse than they were one year ago, 44 percent are better, and 2 percent are unchanged.
Sustained, moderate strength in some of this month’s economic data creates a creditable sense of well-being, while see-sawing continues in the Barometer capital markets data and the weak housing data stay very weak. Overall, 51 percent of key indicators in the Barometer were worse when compared with one year ago, 44 percent were better, and 5 percent were unchanged. Read more about the economy, real estate capital markets, housing, and commercial/multifamily investment property.
It has taken a while to get here but the current month-to-month data offers a more pleasing view than a year ago. Still, persistent challenges remain. Compared with one year ago, 53 percent of key indicators in the Barometer were better, 39 percent were worse, and 8 percent were unchanged.
The real estate economy is continuing to turn in the right direction, albeit slowly and with a long way to go. Compared with one year ago, 55 percent of 64 key indicators were better in January 2011. Read more about the economy and real estate markets.
