UK Housing Prices Rise at Fastest Pace in Two Years in November
In November, the United Kingdom experienced a significant surge in housing prices,
with average prices increasing by 3.7% year-on-year compared to a 2.4% rise in October,
marking the fastest growth rate since November 2022.
On a monthly basis, prices rose by 1.2%, bringing the average house price to £268,144,
which is only 1% below the peak recorded in 2022.
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United Kingdom
This rise is attributed to several factors, most notably wage growth and declining mortgage interest rates.
Robert Gardner, Chief Economist at Nationwide,
noted that the drop in interest rates from their peak in the summer of 2023,
combined with a strong labor market and low unemployment rates,
has supported activity and driven price increases in the housing market since the start of the year.
Australia
Retail Sales in Australia Rise by 0.6% in October, Surpassing Expectations
The Australian Bureau of Statistics announced on Monday that retail sales increased by 0.6% in October,
exceeding the forecasted 0.4%.
This follows a slight 0.1% rise in September.
This growth is attributed to improved consumer confidence and stable interest rates,
reflecting the resilience of the Australian economy in facing economic challenges.
South Korea
South Korea’s Exports Recover, Bolstered by Semiconductor Demand Despite U.S. Policy Challenges
South Korea’s exports showed positive recovery in November, driven by strong demand for semiconductors,
raising hopes for economic support in the trade-dependent nation despite challenges stemming from tariff policies announced by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
Data from the Ministry of Trade showed that exports adjusted for working day differences rose by 3.6% year-on-year in November,
surpassing the decline recorded in the previous month.
Overall exports increased by 1.4%, while imports fell by 2.4%, resulting in a trade surplus of $5.6 billion.
Semiconductor exports rose by 30.8% to $12.5 billion, although this marked the slowest growth pace since late 2023.
Semiconductors remain the cornerstone of South Korea’s exports, underscoring their critical role in supporting the economy.
As one of the most export-dependent nations globally, South Korea faces challenges from protectionist policies anticipated under Trump,
who has pledged to increase tariffs on trade partners.
This shift could impose additional pressures on South Korea’s trade policies and impact the future of its vital exports.
UK Housing Prices Rise at Fastest Pace in Two Years in November