The latest BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research report, titled “BofA ML Economics – Global Economic Weekly: Cooling Core” dated 8 March, authored by the Global Economics Team at BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research focuses on backdrop in inflation worldwide. According the report, global economy continues to motor along in a modest recovery despite the distortions that have been introduced in the global data recently. Most regions continue to participate in a broad-based rebound in the manufacturing sector.

Important chapters of the report cover economic developments around the world.

Global Cooling core
A key part of the global economic forecast is that spare capacity will cause core inflation (ie, excluding food and energy) to continue to drop in most countries. This benign inflation backdrop means most central banks can focus on growth, delaying any tightening well into the economic recovery. Two years ahead, with core inflation well below target, a number of central banks will be in the odd position of seeking to boost inflation.

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• Global transactions fall to $380 b in 2009
  
• Q4 volume surges as rebound takes hold

Globally, the volume of commercial property sold in 2009 was $381 b, with nearly 11,000 properties selling in deals valued above $10m, according the latest Global Capital Trends Report, released by Real Capital Analytics. Overall, the volume of  transactions was off 30 % from 2008 while the number  of properties sold dropped 40%. China was the only country to post a significant gain in 2009, up 139 % to a total of $156 b, which constituted an astounding 41% of global volume. Without China, global transaction volume would have registered a 52% decline last year. While the annual comparisons reflect broad declines since 2007, quarterly data show a marketplace that appears to be making a remarkable recovery. Volume surged in Q4 to $147 b, the first quarterly increase on a yoy basis in seven quarters. So far, investment activity is rebounding in a clear V shape, but risks remain, and some fear the V could easily become a W.

Nevertheless, sentiment among investors is much improved and 2010 is starting with a broad but cautious sense of optimism.

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A new Arab Advisors Group report reveals that by end of 2009, a total of twenty nine operators in thirteen Arab countries offered 3G/3.5G cellular services. The most common 3G/3.5G services offered by the operators are mobile Internet, followed by video calling and mobile TV. More operators are expected to commercially launch their 3G/3.5G services in 2010, these include: Orange in Jordan, Tunisie Orange Telecom in Tunisia and Wataniya Mobile in Palestine.

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Datamonitor’s The Emirates Group – SWOT Analysis company profile is the essential source for top-level company data and information. The Emirates Group – SWOT Analysis examines the company’s key business structure and operations, history and products, and provides summary analysis of its key revenue lines and strategy.

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UAE Construction Market Data & Forecast to 2013 report is the essential source for Construction industry data and analysis covering UAE, both at the top level and providing in-depth category and channel insight.  The report provides historical data and forecasts for the UAE Construction industry in the period 2004-2013, detailed profiles and financial metrics covering the major market players, a breakdown of key recent M&A and partnership activity, and comprehensive analysis of the key factors driving the industry at consumer, market and company level.

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The latest BofA Merrill Lynch Global Researchreport, titled “BofA ML Economics – Global Economic Weekly: Risk Flare” dated 5 February, authored by the Global Economics Team at BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research. forecasts that GDP Growth of the United Arab Emirates will reach 2% in 2010, while in 2011 is expected to near 5.3%. According the report inflation will remain as low as 1% and eventually increase to 3% during the next year.

Major chapters of the report cover economic developments around the world.

Global: Risk flare
Despite nervousness in the markets, the growth forecast remains the same. A key signpost of economic healing is bank lending. While policy actions have opened up much of the capital markets, bank lending remains weak due to both weak supply and weak demand for bank credit.

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The Dubai government team assigned to develop business activities headed by the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) supervised field visits for the World Bank team, who were in Dubai to meet government officials. The initiative, which is carried out in co-ordination with the Emirates Competitiveness Council, comes in line with team’s efforts to contribute to the preparation of suggestions and hence improve the UAE’s competitiveness and ranking in the annual World Bank ‘Doing Business 2010’ report

His Excellency Mr Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of DED, said: “The concerted efforts of the Dubai various government teams in cooperation with the Emirates Competitiveness Council have contributed to strengthen the UAE’s position internationally. This will be reflected on the development of businesses and the UAE’s ranking in the annual report prepared by the World Bank.”

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Transaction volumes increase 64% compared to Q2 2009

Colliers International, the global real estate consultancy, today released its Dubai House Price Index for Q3 2009, which indicates a 7% increase in the overall value of residential properties between July and September 2009.The Index, compiled using mortgage transaction data from financial institutions, also demonstrates a 47% year-on-year decline between Q3 2008 and Q3 2009.  The report shows that at the end of Q3 2009 property prices in Dubai had returned to approximately the same level as those recorded in Q2 2007. The volume of market transactions increased by 64% during Q3 2009 compared to the previous quarter.

Colliers’ analysis of the results indicates that the increase in the value of the Index is due to a number of interrelated factors. The increased availability of finance and a softening of Loan-to-Value ratios eased the liquidity concerns of purchasers. Supporting this demand is a perception of improved expatriate job security, excluding the real estate sector. In addition, the ability for purchasers to monitor the actual progress of developments has allowed for greater transparency regarding progress and afforded them greater certainty when it comes to making the purchasing decision.

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propertyfinder.ae, the UAE’s leading property portal, today released a report revealing the UAE’s top real estate statistics.  The purpose of this report is to showcase the trends and habits of property browsers searching on propertyfinder.ae.

These are the people who tend to be the actual renters and buyers of property in the UAE over the next 1-6 months.

*The numbers are the search results stemming from a range of approximately 400,000 visits, 3,000,000 property pages, 100,000 properties, and 200 brokers.

The report is broken down between Residential Buying and Residential Renting.  It is then listed by 2 sorting agents of Property Page Views and Qualified Emails Sent.  Each of which is drilled down by 4 sub categories in each segment by Location Search Terms, Price Bands, Bedrooms, and Property Types.

It then provides the top 20 results in each sub category in a listing chart.  Each chart result is accompanied by a pie graph segregating the top 10 (in a 100% circle amongst themselves) to visually pin point the strength of section leaders.  In addition, a short synopsis is provided to help translate the results.

To get a FREE copy of the report, please contact: info@propertyfinder.ae or call +971 4 343 2270

FD, the strategic communications segment of FTI Consulting, Inc., (NYSE:FCN) and the leading global investor relations and communications consultancy, released today the results of its inaugural concern over withdrawal of Government stimulus, a worldwide survey of leading institutional investors. The survey revealed that investors remain confident that global indices will continue to rise further despite the recent market rally.

FD interviewed 150 of the world’s largest investment funds, responsible for over $2.5 trillion (U.S. Dollars) under management, during the third quarter of 2009. Respondents were based in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia Pacific, with a broadly similar sample size from each geographic market.

The survey aimed to provide senior management of listed companies with a valuable insight into investor sentiment across the world, as well as providing guidance on the key themes for 2010. The survey focuses on three key areas: investor confidence, geographic investment trends and the importance of equity market regulation.

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