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.
FTSE 100 Index Records 13 - day Winning Streak, but Macroeconomic Signals are Mixed
The FTSE 100 index has witnessed a remarkable 13 - day consecutive gain, reaching a seven - year high. On May 2nd, it edged up 0.02% to 8,229.97. However, individual stocks showed a significant divergence. Rolls - Royce saw a 1.7% increase after confirming that tariff - relief measures would safeguard its annual targets.
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 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 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 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%.
London Housing Crisis Worsens: Double Blow of Homelessness and Construction Dilemma
London is facing a worsening housing crisis. In the first quarter of 2025, the number of rough sleepers reached 4,427, an 8% year - on - year increase, hitting a new record high. The government spends £4 million daily to accommodate 183,000 homeless people, including 90,000 children.
