9 Mins Ago
UK house prices fall at fastest annual rate since 2009
A Crest Nicholson Holdings housing development in Maldon, U.K., in June 2023.
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Fresh data on Thursday reinforced the extent of the U.K.’s house price slide this summer, with August prices down by 1.9% on the previous month, the steepest decline since November.
The figures are from mortgage lender Halifax and follow prior surveys showing a sharp slowdown from Zoopla and Rightmove.
House prices were 4.6% lower year-on-year, the biggest drop since 2009, largely due to the record high property prices seen in summer 2022 — though the average price is still £40,000 ($49,992) above its pre-pandemic level.
“It’s fair to say that house prices have proven more resilient than expected so far this year, despite higher interest rates weighing on buyer demand,” said Kim Kinnaird, director at Halifax Mortgages.
“However, there is always a lag-effect where rate increases are concerned, and we may now be seeing a greater impact from higher mortgage costs flowing through to house prices.”
— Jenni Reid
An Hour Ago
British pound lower after Bailey says nearing peak rates
The British pound nudged lower against the U.S. dollar on Thursday morning, extending losses after hitting a three-month low on Wednesday.
Sterling was down 0.1% at $1.249 at 6:40 a.m. London time.
U.K. currency has come under pressure from broad dollar gains on the back of renewed U.S. inflationary fears, combined with Wednesday comments from Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey that the central bank is “much nearer now to the top of the [rate hike] cycle.”
3 Hours Ago
China trade falls less than expected in August
China’s exports and imports fell less than expected in August, declining 8.8% and 7.3% year on year respectively.
This is less steep than the fall of 9.2% in exports and 9% in imports expected by economists polled by Reuters.
The country’s trade balance came in at $68.36 billion, less than the $80.6 billion seen in June and also lower than the $73.9 billion expected in the Reuters poll.
— Lim Hui Jie
15 Hours Ago
Central bank can ‘proceed cautiously’ on future hikes, says Fed’s Collins
More increases may be ahead for the Federal Reserve depending on the data, but the central bank can take a more patient approach to policymaking, according to Boston Federal Reserve President Susan Collins.
“Overall, we are well positioned to proceed cautiously in this uncertain economic environment, recognizing the risks while remaining resolute and data-dependent, with the flexibility to adjust as conditions warrant,” she said in prepared remarks for a speech in Boston.
Despite some promising signs on the inflation front, she said “further tightening could be warranted.”
— Jeff Cox
6 Hours Ago
CNBC Pro: Goldman Sachs reveals its ‘most preferred’ sector in China and names 2 conviction list stocks
Goldman is overweight on China’s e-commerce sector, as China’s e-commerce take rates – which stands at around 3% to 4% – is one of the lowest compared to that of its peers which have rates at “high single-digits-to-teens”.
The analysts have named two e-commerce stocks in their conviction list to watch for the rest of the year, in their list of top Chinese stock picks.
CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.
— Weizhen Tan
6 Hours Ago
CNBC Pro: Morgan Stanley names global stock as ‘top pick’ among European banks – giving it 35% upside
Morgan Stanley has named a European bank as a “top pick” and expects its stock to rally by 35% over the next 12 months.
The Wall Street bank has predicted that the European lender’s profits will rise in 2024 despite the threat of windfall taxes on the continent.
CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here.
— Ganesh Rao
3 Hours Ago
European markets: Here are the opening calls
European markets are expected to open lower Thursday.
The U.K.’s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 6 points lower at 7,4216, Germany’s DAX 30 points lower at 15,706, France’s CAC 7 points lower at 7,186 and Italy’s FTSE MIB down 76 points at 28,192, according to data from IG.
Data releases include euro zone revised second quarter gross domestic product (GDP) figures and the single currency area’s employment rate for the second quarter.
— Holly Ellyatt
