Two Harbors Investment Corp reported a comprehensive loss during the past quarter, primarily driven by a litigation settlement expense of around USD 175.1 million. Despite this, the company achieved a 7.6% quarterly economic return on book value after excluding litigation charges. Two Harbors expanded its subservicing business by selling USD 30 billion in unpaid principal balance (UPB) of mortgage servicing rights (MSR) on a retained basis and recorded steady growth in its direct-to-consumer originations platform. Analysts maintained a generally positive outlook on the stock.Read more
Mozambique's cabinet has yet to take a decision on the revised budget and schedule for the USD 20 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project led by TotalEnergies. The project, suspended since 2021 following militant attacks in Cabo Delgado province, has seen its estimated cost rise by about USD 4.5 billion. TotalEnergies and its consortium partners have requested a 10-year extension of the development and production period to offset delays. Government officials said the LNG sector remains a national priority, but no date has been set for formal approval.Read more
Pending home sales in the U.S. remained unchanged in September, as economic uncertainty and a weak labour market outweighed the benefits of falling borrowing costs. The National Association of Realtors reported no monthly change, following a 4.2% rise in August, while sales were down 0.9% year-on-year. Regionally, contracts fell in the Midwest and West, but rose in the South and Northeast. The average 30-year mortgage rate eased to 6.30%, yet affordability issues kept buyers cautious. Analysts cited the ongoing government shutdown, rising unemployment, and job cuts as key drags on sentiment. While refinancing surged, new home purchases lagged, underscoring a fragile housing recovery amid persistent economic headwinds.Read more
Hong Kong home prices rose 1.3% month-on-month, marking the sixth consecutive monthly gain and the strongest increase since March 2024, according to the Rating and Valuation Department. The property-price index has now turned positive for the year, up 1.1% since December. This follows a sharp 30% decline from the 2021 peak, driven by high mortgage rates and weak demand. Recent rate cuts by major banks and relaxed housing curbs have begun to stabilise the market. Analysts suggest prices may have reached a bottom, though recovery will hinge on further interest rate cuts and an easing of U.S.-China trade tensions.Read more
The UAE and Oman have signed an agreement to launch the region's first dedicated cross-border freight rail service, linking Abu Dhabi and Sohar. The deal between Hafeet Rail and Noatum Logistics will see seven container trains per week, each carrying 276 TEUs, enabling an annual capacity of nearly 193,200 TEUs. The service will transport goods such as manufactured items, food, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products, reducing costs, transit time, and carbon emissions. Announced at Global Rail 2025, the project supports both nations' sustainability and diversification goals, marking a milestone in green logistics and regional trade integration, and positioning the UAE-Oman corridor as a model for efficient, eco-friendly freight transport.Read more
Universal Health Realty Income Trust recorded a stable net income of USD 4 million in its recent quarter, with earnings per share unchanged at USD 0.29. The company's funds from operations increased by USD 908,000, primarily due to a one-time settlement related to a medical office building. A nonrecurring depreciation expense of USD 900,000 impacted overall income. Universal Health Realty also announced a new building project in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, though no specific financial guidance was provided for the upcoming periods.Read more
Poland's oil-terminal operator Naftoport, majority-owned by state pipeline firm PERN, plans to build a new jetty at its Gdansk terminal beginning this year. When it comes online in the latter half of 2028, the facility's annual capacity will rise to about 49 million metric tons. The expansion aims to relieve pressure on existing infrastructure, as the terminal has been near full capacity since 2023, and will enable Germany's refineries such as PCK Schwedt and Leuna to shift fully to seaborne crude. Throughput this year is projected to exceed 39 million metric tons and remain steady into 2026.Read more
Westpac's RAMS Financial Group has been fined USD 13 million for home loan misconduct involving falsified payslips and dealings with unlicensed mortgage operators. Between 2019 and 2023, the subsidiary failed to supervise representatives properly and did not ensure customers were protected from conflicts of interest. RAMS stopped issuing new loans last year and completed remediation in 2024. The penalty was already reflected in Westpac's 2025 half-year results. The case follows ongoing regulatory scrutiny of Australian banks, including ANZ's record AUD 240 million fine for multiple breaches.Read more
Extra Space Storage Inc., one of the leading self-storage real estate investment trusts (REITs) in the United States, announced financial results indicating steady operational performance but softer growth expectations for 2025. The company projected annual core funds from operations (FFO) between USD 8.12 and USD 8.20 per share, slightly below Wall Street's average estimate. Despite a modest decline in same-store revenue and higher operating costs, total quarterly revenue surpassed expectations. The company continues to face pricing and occupancy challenges but remains optimistic about gradual market stabilization.Read more
Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX: AP.UN) reported a 3% decline in operating income for the third quarter compared with the same period last year. The company attributed this to a slower pace of lease signings, which has limited occupancy growth across its portfolio. Higher interest expenses, up 13.2% year-on-year to CAD 35.5 million, further impacted earnings as property sales were delayed. The REIT expects its same-asset NOI to fall by 1% in 2025 and anticipates a 10% decline in diluted FFO and AFFO per unit, while confirming it will not meet its 90% occupancy goal by year-end.Read more