World news

China's property investment up 4.1% in Q1

China's real estate investment totaled 488 billion yuan ($71.45 billion) in the first quarter of this year, an increase of 4.1 percent on a yearly basis, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Monday.

HSBC says considering property sales

Europe's largest bank, HSBC Holdings, confirmed on Monday it was considering selling three of its major office buildings and said it had received interest from potential buyers.

Record drop in home prices keeps U.S. consumers glum

U.S. home prices plunged at a record pace in January while consumer confidence held just above record lows in March, according to data on Tuesday that showed no signs of a bottom for the lengthy recession.

Hong Kong first-quarter home prices rise 5.5%

Home prices in Hong Kong, where luxury residences are Asia�s second-most expensive, rose 5.5 percent in the first quarter from the end of 2008, according to a report by Centaline Property Agency Ltd.

New Zealand house-building sector still down in the dumps

The house-building sector is still in the doldrums, according to figures out yesterday from Statistics New Zealand.