Prime yields stabilise and investment activity increases as 2012 closes

PRIME YIELDS STABILISE AND INVESTMENT ACTIVITY INCREASES AS 2012 CLOSES
24 Jan, 2013, London

The UK property investment market in 2012 ended on a stronger note than many expected - yields stabilised and investment activity increased in the closing months of the year, according to a report by Cushman & Wakefield.
Cushman & Wakefield projects forecast activity for 2013 will hit £35.5 billion, 7.5 per cent ahead of 2012.

http://www.cushwake.com/cwglobal/jsp/newsDetail.jsp?Language=EN&repId=c57700005p&Country=GB

Chile: Unemployment in the Greater Santiago area reached a record low in December.

Chile: Unemployment in the Greater Santiago area reached a record low in December.

Unemployment in the Greater Santiago area reached a record low in December. According to Universidad de Chile, unemployment declined to 5.2% in December in the Greater Santiago area. While the jobless rate usually benefits from benign Q4 seasonality, the actual reading was a positive surprise. December’s result stood 1pp below its level in the previous year.

The official December unemployment rate will be unveiled next week. We look for a 6.1% reading.

European retail real estate investment volumes reach €19.4bn in 2012

http://www.property-magazine.eu/

European retail real estate investment volumes reach €19.4bn in 2012

Jones Lang LaSalle reports that retail real estate investment was strong in Q4 2012 lifting full year investment to €19.4bn; the top end of our €18-20bn forecast. Direct investment in retail real estate for Q4 2012 is €7.6bn compared with € 8.5bn in Q4 2011, down 11%. Full year volumes are estimated at €19.4bn, in comparison with €31.3bn in 2011, approaching the five year average of €23.7bn.

Sabine Pass Liquefaction to offer $1B in debt for LNG train construction

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2013/01/23/sabine-pass-liquefaction-to-offer-1.html

Sabine Pass Liquefaction to offer $1B in debt for LNG train construction

Collin Eaton

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC will soon offer $1 billion in senior secured notes due 2021, Houston-based natural gas distributor Cheniere Energy Partners LP (NYSE MKT: CQP) said in a statement.

Interest Rates Will Spike This Year: Soros

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100401701

Interest Rates Will Spike This Year: Soros

Published: Thursday, 24 Jan 2013 | 4:34 PM ET
By: Justin Menza

There will be a dramatic rise in interest rates as soon as there are clear signs the U.S. economy is picking up, billionaire financier George Soros told CNBC.

Dow Chemical CEO: Energy Growth a 'Game Changer'

Dow Chemical CEO: Energy Growth a 'Game Changer'

Published: Thursday, 24 Jan 2013 | 12:12 PM ET
By: Javier E. David | Special to CNBC.com

The U.S. energy complex including the growth of natural-gas drilling is "a game changer" that could easily contribute to global economic growth and job opportunities, Dow Chemical CEO Andrew Liveris told CNBC on Thursday.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100405183

Asia Chart Alert: China: Labour market tightens further in Q4

Economics Research | Asia Ex-Japan
24 January 2013

Asia Chart Alert: China: Labour market tightens further in Q4

It reinforces our view that inflation will rise to over 4% y-o-y in H2.

Fig. 1: China’s labour demand/supply ratio and CPI inflation

Manufacturers are Blocking the Free Flow of LNG

http://www.energybiz.com/

Manufacturers are Blocking the Free Flow of LNG

Ken Silverstein | Jan 23, 2013

Capitalism’s invisible hand has some interference when it comes to exporting liquefied natural gas. The producers of that super-cooled fuel want to ship their product overseas but manufacturers remain defiant and are blocking their path.

Tesco considers closing Home Plus stores

http://www.retail-week.com/

Tesco considers closing Home Plus stores
23 January, 2012 | By Alex Lawson

Tesco is set to exit its standalone furnishing stores after poor sales led it to review its estate.

The grocery giant is keen to exit leases on all of its 13 Home Plus stores and has been looking at options with property advisor Morgan Williams, according to The Times.

Land Securities Eyes Recovery in London Office Market

January 23, 2013, 6:20 a.m. ET
Land Securities Eyes Recovery in London Office Market

By PETER EVANS

LONDON—Land Securities Group PLC on Wednesday said the London office market is showing signs of revival, as the company announced several new lettings on a 36-storey office tower it is building in the capital.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323539804578259320372774536.html