RealtyTrac(TM) released first-quarter data from its 2007 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, showing more than 430,000 foreclosure filings - default notices, auction sale notices and bank repossessions - reported nationwide during the first three months of the year, up 27 percent from the previous quarter and up 35 percent from the first quarter of 2006.
The U.S. office market took a bit of a breather in the first quarter, with absorption falling to less than half of its Q4'06 level, according to a report by Colliers International. However, the overall uptrend remains intact, with rents continuing to surge higher during the first three months of 2007.
If EU regional policy funding is to keep pace with the demands of further EU enlargement, then the "individual responsibility" of Member States must be increased, EU aid must be better targeted so as to prevent waste, and more projects should be loan financed. Institutional, financial and political reform is also necessary, as part of a review of the EU financial framework.
As of mid-April, short interest in 2,756 NASDAQ Global Market(sm) securities totaled 7,819,110,519 shares compared with 7,707,876,747 shares in 2,758 Global Market issues for the month of March.
U.S. Trust announced the findings of the 2007 Survey of Affluent Americans which focuses this year on a higher net worth demographic. Unlike past years' surveys, in which primary residence and income were factors in respondent eligibility, the 2007 survey polled an even more elite sample both in terms of size and composition, consisting exclusively of Americans with more than $5 million in total investable assets (high net worth individuals). Also included in the survey is a new focus on Americans with more than $25 million in total assets (ultra high net worth individuals).
Economic growth and expectations in Europe remain positive, with high business confidence and falling unemployment levels, the latest European Restructuring Monitor (ERM) quarterly reports.
Unusually bad winter weather in February curtailed home shopping, slowing sales that closed in March, which may have been dampened further by a decrease in subprime lending volume, according to the National Association of Realtors(R).
The London Stock Exchange has issued a consultation notice which creates a framework for third party trading platforms to trade AIM securities while ensuring the maintenance of AIM’s high regulatory standards.
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had decreased in March, retreated further in April. The Index now stands at 104.0 (1985=100), down from 108.2 in March. The Present Situation Index decreased to 131.3 from 138.5 in March. The Expectations Index declined to 85.8 from 87.9.
America's small businesses are facing challenging times. Increasing costs are forcing small-business owners to drop health care coverage and embrace sweeping health care reform, while difficulty accessing adequate capital is slowing business growth.
