Low light years

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Topline Despite falling mortgage rates providing some relief to potential home buyers, mortgage applications fell to the lowest level since the turn of the century last week—providing fresh evidence that the housing market downturn may have room to run as some experts worry about how the collapse will damage the broader economy. Key Facts Mortgage applications fell 2.3% from one week earlier, according to the latest data from the Mortgage Bankers Association, pushing overall applications to the lowest level since 2000 even as rates on the popular 30-year fixed mortgage slipped to a two-month low of less than 5.5%. In a statement, MBA’s Joel Kan said home buying applications continue to suffer from “rapidly drying up” demand as mortgage rates remain about two percentage points higher than one year ago—driving up the cost of monthly mortgage payments and making homes the least affordable they’ve been in 33 … [Read more...] about Mortgage Demand Falls To New 22-Year Low As Housing Market Fuels Recession Fears

Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) marked the completion of the top floor of its newest Grade A, green office building, GBF Center 1. The high-quality, sustainable development is designed to cater to evolving workplace dynamics in the post-pandemic era. With the nationwide easing of quarantine restrictions, reopening of borders, and strong recovery of the domestic economy, the office sector of the Philippine real estate industry is expected to take an optimistic turn this year. The positive outlook on the demand for office spaces is anchored on the increasing rate of transition to on-site work and the continuous expansion of companies, particularly the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms. GBF Center 1, RLC’s prime office development, is poised to be the most iconic structure along the C5-Libis IT corridor. It is an opportune time for Robinsons Land Corporation, one of the largest property developers in the Philippines, to usher in the future of workspace with its … [Read more...] about Ushering in the future of workspace: Robinsons Land tops off GBF Center 1

The last two years have changed how young investors look at real estate. The far-reaching effects of pandemic on their personal and professional lives was the game-changer. They realized the value of owning living spaces that are not only conducive for their ideal lifestyle, but also infallible when it comes to financial gain and stability. Let’s take a look at the reasons why property investments capture this segment’s interest, and why Angeles City, Pampanga is a hotbed one should definitely consider. Property as the wisest investment Now Residences, a mid-rise garden community in Angeles City, Pampanga presents both end-users and investors a sure and wise choice when it comes to investing outside of Metro Manila. Financial gurus agree that r eal estate is emerging as a strong hedge against the roaring inflation, and young investors are at the forefront of it. Industry leader SM Development Corporation (SMDC) realized this with 54% of their increase in revenue … [Read more...] about A new SMDC community in Angeles City, Pampanga built for the new breed of investors

Make that four weeks in a row of gains for the U.S. stock market, as the rally has become undeniable. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq both climbed more than 3% last week, with the the Dow up 2.9%. The S&P 500 has now climbed 15% from its lows in mid-June, while the Nasdaq has clawed back 20% since then. That could technically be described as a new bull market for the index. A 20% retracement from a recent low fits the bill—or the bull—but there are a lot of opinions about that. But we can't deny the strength of the rally, especially when we dig into the charts. The average stock in the Nasdaq Composite index is up 34% from its lows. Remember, just a few months ago, we were talking about the average Nasdaq stock being down 50% from its highs. The pendulum has swung back in a big way. Across the market, the breadth thrust has been pretty impressive. And no, that's not a swimming stroke. The breath trust indicator is a technical indicator used to ascertain market momentum … [Read more...] about Going Back to School with Stock Market Fundamentals

- A + A (Aug 18): Apple Inc is aiming to hold a launch event on Sept 7 to unveil the iPhone 14 line, according to people with knowledge of the matter, rolling out the latest version of a product that generates more than half its sales. The new iPhones will kick off a busy fall product season, which will also include multiple new Macs, low-end and high-end iPads, and three Apple Watch models. Apple is updating its flagship product at a precarious time for the industry. Smartphone sales have begun to flag as consumers cope with inflation and a shaky economy. But Apple appears to be faring better than its peers: The iPhone sold well last quarter, and the company has signaled to suppliers that it doesn’t foresee a dropoff in demand. The Cupertino, California-based tech giant typically announces other products alongside the iPhone, including the latest Apple Watches. The company usually releases the new iPhone in stores about a week and a half after it’s unveiled, and … [Read more...] about Apple targets Sept 7 for iPhone 14 launch in flurry of new devices

Traders work under signage for GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) on the trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., Aug. 8, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly NEW YORK – Speculative options trading is on the rise again among individual investors alongside a rally in so-called meme stocks, reviving a trend that swept Wall Street last year but faded as markets turned volatile in 2022. Trading in single stock options – a popular vehicle for retail investors looking to place leveraged bets in hopes of outsized gains – has shot higher in recent weeks, with 10-day average daily trading volume at a more-than six-month high of nearly 25 million contracts, Trade Alert data showed. The rise in options trading comes amid wild rallies in the shares of companies popular with retail investors, led by Bed, Bath & Beyond, whose stock is up about 360 percent this month. More seasoned meme-stock names such as GameStop and AMC Entertainment have surged as well, … [Read more...] about U.S. retail traders pile back into options as meme-stock mania flares

China’s central bank unexpectedly slashed interest rates after data showed its retail sales and manufacturing output grew less than expected, signaling central bankers want to avoid an economic slowdown in China, the world’s second-largest economy . Retail sales rose 2.7% in China in July compared to expectations of 5% growth, while industrial production grew 3.8%, below expectations of 4.6%. Both retail sales and industrial production slowed from the month before. According to a government spokesman, “the momentum of the economic recovery has slowed. More efforts are needed to consolidate the foundation of economic recovery.” The slowdown comes in the wake of China's “zero COVID” approach to containing COVID-19 with local lockdowns and amid a real estate slowdown. Oil prices fell on the slower-than-expected economic data, with light sweet crude down as much as 5%, below $90 per barrel. The retail sales data may signal problems ahead for Tesla and GM. Tesla generated roughly … [Read more...] about The Impact of China’s Economic Slowdown

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin While it has debuted with perfect review scores and glowing word of mouth from viewers, how many people have actually watched FX’s The Bear on the channel or Hulu remains unclear. But regardless, it’s now been confirmed that all the positive attention was enough to land The Bear a season 2 renewal, according to Variety . “The Bear has exceeded our wildest creative, critical and commercial expectations,” said FX Entertainment president Eric Schrier. “We can’t wait to get to work on Season 2.” The show stars Shameless actor Jeremy Allan White as a famous chef who returns home to Chicago to run his family’s sandwich shop after his brother died. It’s only eight, 20-30 minute episodes, but it is intense , both in terms of its performances and its filming, including the one-shot, utterly chaotic episode 7. “We are so grateful to FX, our insanely talented cast, our crew who worked hard, fast and in the dead of winter, … [Read more...] about One Of 2022’s Best Shows, ‘The Bear,’ Lands A Season 2 Renewal

Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin It’s that time again, where I collect some Bungie-based hype heading into the next season of Destiny 2. Once again we find ourselves in a similar situation where we know almost nothing about the actual content of season 18, only this time, it’s being revealed in a showcase alongside additional Lightfall expansion info, and the hype train is starting to gain steam. Here’s Robert Schuster, who did the player questline for next season, with my favorite quote about “wall-to-wall bangers” coming up: And Teawrex, former community streamer turned Bungie social systems designer: Here’s Ben Platnick, who makes emotes, finishers and a lots of cosmetics: And of course everyone is hyped about the showcase reveal itself, as per community manager Liana Ruppert: Privately, I’ve been told that people think I specifically am going to like a lot of what’s shown in the showcase, though I do not know any details … [Read more...] about ‘Destiny 2’ Has ‘Wall-To-Wall Bangers Lined Up,’ Says Bungie

- A + A (Aug 18): Germany will temporarily cut sales tax on natural gas to 7% from 19% to ease the burden on households and companies suffering due to surging energy costs and hit by a new levy taking effect in October. Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the move — which could cost about 14 billion euros (US$14.2 billion) in lost revenue — in a brief statement to reporters Thursday in Berlin and said the government expects suppliers to pass the VAT reduction fully on to consumers. The lower rate will apply from Oct 1 and expire at the end of March 2024. “With this step, we are reducing the burden for gas customers overall much more than the burden created by the gas levy,” Scholz said. “This reduced VAT rate will apply as long as the gas levy is collected.” The government is imposing the levy on gas consumers to help fund compensation for importers forced to pay higher prices due to Russia squeezing gas deliveries via the Nord Stream pipeline. If any of Germany’s … [Read more...] about Germany slashes VAT on gas to ease burden from soaring costs