20 Jan 2026

BlackRock reported record assets under management of USD 14 trillion in the fourth quarter, driven by a market rally and strong inflows into equity, fixed-income, and private market products. Quarterly profit surpassed Wall Street expectations, rising to USD 2.18 billion or USD 13.16 per share, supported by higher fee income and performance from private markets. Long-term net inflows reached USD 267.8 billion, with ETFs remaining a key growth driver. The company increased dividends and expanded share buybacks, reflecting its strategy to diversify revenue through private markets, infrastructure, and AI-linked assets.Read more

20 Jan 2026

Saks Global is leveraging its prime real estate portfolio to navigate Chapter 11 bankruptcy following a debt-laden consolidation of Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, and Neiman Marcus. The company secured a $1.75 billion financing package to maintain operations while reviewing underperforming stores. Analysts suggest strategies such as sale-leaseback agreements and targeted closures of dark stores to monetize assets. Internal competition with Neiman Marcus and pressure from luxury brands with direct-to-consumer stores adds to challenges. Prime mall locations could be repurposed, reflecting a broader shift in retail strategies for high-value properties.Read more

20 Jan 2026

Canadian home sales fell 1.9% in 2025 to 470,314 units, influenced by an early-year slowdown from U.S. tariffs, with December sales and prices also declining. CREA highlighted uneven slowdowns across major cities and advised against extrapolating December trends into the new year. Sales are expected to rebound as spring approaches, supported by lower interest rates and ongoing demand. CREA forecasts a 5.1% increase in sales and a 2.8% rise in average prices this year, led by British Columbia and Ontario, with continued growth projected into 2027.Read more

20 Jan 2026

Home REIT, a UK social housing company, is under investigation by Britain's Serious Fraud Office for an estimated GBP 300 million (USD 404 million) in suspected bribery and fraud. Six individuals linked to the company's former management have been arrested. Home REIT raised over GBP 850 million in its first three years to acquire and restore properties for vulnerable groups, promising investor returns through rental income. Concerns over property valuations and tenant payment capacity emerged in late 2022, leading to the suspension of trading. The SFO has searched multiple sites, including a property in Italy.Read more

19 Jan 2026

Megatel Homes LLC is set to launch its first crypto payments and rewards token, MegPrime, after receiving a no-action letter from the SEC. The token will allow users to make payments, earn rebates, and redeem points for housing-related benefits, continuing a program that began in 2019 offering renters equity toward home purchases. CEO Zach Ipour emphasized the plan merges real estate operations with digital currency. The token will not confer any ownership or investment rights, reflecting growing adoption of blockchain in mainstream consumer programs.Read more

19 Jan 2026

United Hampshire US REIT has acquired the Wallingford Fair Shopping Center in Connecticut for USD 21.4 million, reinforcing its focus on retail properties with stable consumer demand. The shopping center serves as a key community retail hub, and the acquisition fits the REIT's strategy of expanding its income-generating assets in the US. The move reflects the company's continued emphasis on strategic investments in properties offering long-term growth and steady cash flow. United Hampshire remains active in exploring US retail real estate opportunities.Read more

19 Jan 2026

Vietnam is introducing tax measures to address soaring property prices and speculative activity in its housing market. Apartment prices increased 20-30% and land plots 20-25% last year, with average costs reaching around 100 million dong (USD 3,804) per square metre equal to a typical worker's annual salary. The government plans to promote fair housing access and fund social housing to build up to one million apartments for low-income residents by 2030. Policymakers also aim to regulate bank lending and risky property investments to ensure market stability.Read more

19 Jan 2026

Beijing Dalong Weiye Real Estate Development Co Ltd's subsidiary has won a project bid worth 762.7 million yuan (around USD 109.43 million), reinforcing the company's expansion in China's competitive property sector. The project is expected to boost revenue and strengthen the firm's presence in both residential and commercial developments. With a history of pursuing large-scale projects aligned with urban planning, the company's subsidiary will now move forward with planning and execution, reflecting Beijing Dalong Weiye's focus on timely delivery and adherence to quality construction standards.Read more

18 Jan 2026

Korea Real Estate Investment & Trust Co Ltd plans to divest 20 billion KRW (around INR 1.2 billion) of its own shares. The move aims to optimize the company's balance sheet and provide liquidity for future operations. While the company has not detailed the timeline for the sale, analysts see it as a common strategy among real estate investment trusts to manage capital and enhance shareholder value. The divestment reflects careful financial management amid market fluctuations in South Korea's real estate sector.Read more

18 Jan 2026

Existing home sales in the United States accelerated in December, supported by easing mortgage rates and slower growth in house prices, according to data released by the National Association of Realtors. Sales rose sharply on a monthly basis and exceeded market expectations, while annual growth also turned positive. Improving conditions in the final quarter of the year were attributed to reduced borrowing costs and more moderate price increases, although housing inventory remained constrained. Mortgage rates declined during 2025 but continued to stay well above levels seen three years earlier. Inventory levels showed a marginal improvement, while median home prices recorded only modest annual growth, reflecting ongoing affordability pressures.Read more