UK lenders approved 65,018 mortgages in October, slightly above expectations but lower than September, marking the weakest reading since May. Net mortgage lending fell to a little over GBP 4.27 billion from GBP 5.22 billion a month earlier, while remortgaging saw its steepest decline since February. Consumer borrowing increased by GBP 1.1 billion, below forecasts and slower than September's pace, though annual credit growth stayed at 7.2%. Despite uncertainty around recent fiscal measures and soft retail activity, the housing market has continued to move broadly in line with pre-pandemic levels.Read more

Saudi Arabia is looking to strengthen ties with Japanese companies as it pushes to attract more foreign investment and diversify its economy. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) says it wants Japan to regain its earlier role as a key partner and hopes to see more Japanese firms involved in upcoming national projects. The PIF is also shifting its strategy, moving away from mega real estate developments like NEOM and The Line. Instead, it will focus on logistics, mining, religious tourism infrastructure and artificial intelligence. The fund invested about USD 11.5 billion in Japan between 2017 and 2024 and expects this to reach USD 27 billion by 2030.Read more

China Vanke has asked investors to delay repayment of a 2-billion-yuan onshore bond by one year, seeking to avoid default amid the ongoing property market downturn. The company wants to postpone both principal and interest payments while keeping the 3% coupon rate unchanged. News of the request triggered sharp declines in Vanke's yuan bonds, including a 2028 note that fell up to 22%, leading to a trading halt in Shenzhen. This is Vanke's first attempt to extend an onshore bond, and the proposal needs 90% bondholder approval at a meeting on 10 December. With Vanke carrying over 364 billion yuan in debt, opinions remain split on whether investors will support the plan.Read more

The Kingdom of Bahrain has lowered the minimum real estate investment needed to obtain its Golden Residency from USD 530,555 (BHD 200,000) to USD 345,000 (BHD 130,000), signalling a bid to draw more foreign capital. The revised threshold broadens eligibility to property buyers, seasoned professionals, retirees and high-net-worth individuals, while retaining preferential residency perks. The move is part of a wider push to boost demand in luxury housing, foster long-term settlement, and position the country as an attractive hub for investment and living among Gulf nations.Read more

Beijing Capital Jiaye Property Services' board has approved a donation of HKD 3 million to support fire rescue operations in Tai Po. The contribution is aimed at strengthening emergency response teams and providing resources to affected communities. This step reflects the company's ongoing commitment to social responsibility and public safety. Hong Kong property firms have increasingly participated in disaster relief efforts, and Beijing Capital Jiaye has a history of supporting community welfare and emergency preparedness programs. Authorities welcomed the assistance, noting the importance of private-sector support.Read more

China and Hong Kong stock markets ended mostly flat as gains in defensive sectors such as banking, energy, and insurance balanced out losses in the property and AI segments. Developer China Vanke's move to delay an onshore bond repayment sent its shares tumbling to levels not seen since 2008, dragging down the broader real estate index. Meanwhile, regulatory restrictions on ByteDance affected AI-related stocks, and industrial profits in China fell after two months of growth, reflecting ongoing weak domestic demand and a slowdown in exports. Consumer-focused stocks like Pop Mart gained on government incentives.Read more

Taiwan prosecutors have conducted raids at the homes of former TSMC Senior Executive Wei-Jen Lo after the chipmaker accused him of leaking trade secrets, a claim denied by his current employer, Intel. Investigators seized computers, USB drives, and other potential evidence, while a court approved the seizure of Lo's shares and real estate. Lo, who recently joined Intel after a 21-year tenure at TSMC, played a key role in advancing TSMC's 5nm, 3nm, and 2nm chip production. Intel emphasized strict confidentiality policies and denied any wrongdoing by Lo.Read more

MUI Properties Bhd plans to acquire eight land parcels in Negeri Selangor through its subsidiary, MUI Industrial Estates, in a deal worth 605 million RGT. This acquisition aims to expand the company's industrial estate holdings and strengthen its strategic position in Selangor's growing industrial market. The parcels are anticipated to support long-term industrial projects and attract a mix of local and international investors. The move continues MUI Properties' historical strategy of investing in strategic land assets to diversify and grow its real estate portfolio.Read more

Unite Group, a leading UK student accommodation provider, has forecast lower earnings for 2026 due to reduced student occupancy and falling rental income. The company's shares fell to their lowest in over a decade following the announcement. The outlook reflects a broader trend in the sector, including a decline in Chinese postgraduate tenants and rising operational costs. Despite the challenges, Unite recently completed a GBP 634 million (USD 839.48 million) acquisition of Empiric Student Property, while anticipating moderate rental growth and slightly lower occupancy in the upcoming academic year.Read more

The Czech Central Bank has advised lenders to adopt stricter limits on mortgages for investment properties as part of its latest financial stability review. It recommended reducing loan-to-value ratios to 70% -compared with the standard 80% for regular home loans-and capping borrower debt at seven times annual income instead of eight. The move comes amid strong property price growth, driven by limited supply and high investor demand, with values recording double-digit increases over the past year. Board member Jakub Seidler said the guidance targets a small segment of the market to prevent early vulnerabilities. Other mortgage rules remain unchanged, and the banking sector continues to show strong capital buffers and resilience.Read more