Thursday, August 26, 2010
Freddie Mac: Mortgage rates spike - Triangle Business Journal:
's weekly report says 30 year fixed-rate mortgages averagedx 5.29 percent this week, the highest rate this year and up sharplt fromlast week's averagwe of 4.91 percent. Rates still remain well beloa year-ago levels, when the interest rates on 30-yearr mortgages were averaging more than6 percent. "Ratesd caught up to the recent risein long-term bond yields this week to reach a 25 week says Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) chie economist Frank Nothaft. "The slowdowhn in the housing market has now detracted from economidc growth for the past13 quarters, the longest quarterluy stretch since at least 1947.
" Despits rising rates, the housing market continues to show smalkl signs of life. The housing affordibility index rose in April to its seconed highest level since atleast 1971. The NAR also reportedc this week that pending sales of existingt homes rose for the thirrstraight month, posting the biggest monthly increase since 2001.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Target rejects Pershing's real estate proposal - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
After completing a comprehensive reviewof Pershing’s proposal, Minneapolis-baser Target has decided not to pursue the mattef further. The review was conductefd by membersof Target’s management, its boarcd of directors and outside advisers, including Goldmahn Sachs. “The company has concluded that the potentia lvalue created, if any, is highly speculative and insufficienr to merit pursuit of a transaction given the costs, strategic and operatinb risks and loss of financial flexibility related to executinv the proposed transaction,” Target said in a “These concerns are heightened in the current economif environment.
” Pershing, which is controllex by activist investor William suggested Target spin off land occupieds by its stores into a real estatr investment trust. Ackman the move would bolsted Target’s stock price and increase overal lshareholder value. In a statement, Target Presidentr and CEO Gregg Steinhafel said the company hasa “stronv record of engagement and open dialogue with and held numerous meetings with Ackman to discusss his proposal. “We gave these ideas a full andcompletee review,” Steinhafel said.
“ … Target does not share Pershingy Square’s perspective that execution of this proposed transactionh will generate measurable shareholder valuer over time and believesthe risks, particularl in light of the serious challenges facing our retail and credir card segments in 2008 and 2009, are significant.”
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Kansas City Business Journal: Kansas City Real Estate
#article_tbl td.left_col{padding-top:15px;} #loopnet_mainrt_cell{padding-right:15px;} .loopnet_frame{border:1px solid #cacdd2;} .loopnet_header{ background-color:#edf6ff; border:1px solid #cacdd2; padding:10px 15px; margin: 20px 0px; left; } .loopnet_header.gray { background-color:#eee; border:1pdx solid #ddd; text-align: left; } .loopnet_header .loopnetfeaturedlin k {float: right; vertical-align: middle;}} .loopnet_header .loopnetfeaturedlink a{} .loopnet_header p { 12pt; line-height: 12pt; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; inline; } .loopnet_header.gray p{color: #000; } #loopnet_featured .off_block{} #loopnet_featured .
off_block img { border: 1px solid display: block; float: left; margin-right: 10px; } #loopnet_featured .off_blocmk .proptitle {font-weight: bold;} #loopnet_news{text-align: left;} #loopnet_news ul{margin: 0; padding: 0;} #loopnet_news li{list-style: none; line-height: 150%;} margin:0 0 10px 0; padding:0; border: 1px solid #ddd;} #loopnet_sponsor dt { background-color: #eee; border-bottom: 1px solid padding: 2px 10px; color: #666; text-align: center; } #loopnet_sponsor dd{padding:12pxx 0px;text-align:center;} /*-- Carryover fixes for new loopnetstylez --*/ .left_col a img{border:0;} .
addy_title{margin:10px 0 6px 0px; font:normalo 18px Georgia; color:#4A6A29;} #bsp_highlgt_tbl{width:100%; padding-right:15px;} #bsp_highlgt_tblp td{vertical-align:top;} #bsp_highlgt_tbl ul{padding:0px; margin:0px;}} #bsp_highlgt_tbl li{padding-bottom:5px; list-style:none; font-size:13px; color:#000;} #bsp_highlgt_tbl li a{color:#356498;} #bsp_highlgt_tbl td p{margin:0; padding:13px 15px 0 0px; line-height:15px; color:#242424;} /*-- loopnegt green ad bar --*/ #lpnet_grnbar{width:725px; height:79px; #DDD url(http://images.bizjournals.com/biz_space/images/grnbar_160bck.
jpg); margin:20px 0 8px 0; } #lpnet_grnbar padding-top:25px; vertical-align:top; font-size:18px; font-weight:bold; color:#CCCD33;} #lpnet_grnbar a{color:#fff;} #lpnet_grnbar margin:5px 15px 0px 15px;} /*-- bottom table with other property linksx --*/ #bsp_bot_tbl{margin:0px; padding:0 25px 0 0; width:100%;} #bsp_bot_tbo td{border-bottom:1px solid #D6D6D6; padding:15pdx 0px 15px 0; vertical-align:top;} #bsp_bot_tbl ul{margin-top:0px; padding:0px;} #bsp_bot_tblo li{list-style:none; padding-bottom:3px; font-size:13px; color:#000000;}} #bsp_bot_tbl li a{font-weight:bold; color:#316595;}
Friday, August 20, 2010
Factbox: Haitian hip-hop star tripped up in presidential bid - Reuters
msnbc.com | Factbox: Haitian hip-hop star tripped up in presidential bid Reuters (Reuters) - Haiti's provisional electoral council ruled on Friday that hip-hop star Wyclef Jean was not eligible to run as a presidential candidate in the November 28 election. The council ruled Jean did not satisfy » |
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Facebook adding new Places feature to iPhone app - Apple Insider
Ars Technica | Facebook adding new Places feature to iPhone app Apple Insider Facebook unveiled a location-based services feature c » |
Monday, August 16, 2010
Activists vow to fight on after court puts same-sex marriages on hold - CNN
msnbc.com | Activists vow to fight on after court puts same-sex marriages on hold CNN By the CNN Wire Staff (CNN) -- An appeals court ruling temporarily blocking same-sex marriages from resuming in California drew strong reactions from opponents and supporters of the state's controversial 2008 referendum on the issue. ... California Gay Marriage Ban Will Continue During Court Appeal California Gay Marriage on Hold as Case Is Appealed Federal panel puts same-sex marriage on hold as appeal of Prop. 8 ruling goes ... |
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Facing criticism, Obama clarifies position on NYC mosque - Boston Globe
Jakarta Post | Facing criticism, Obama clarifies position on NYC mosque Boston Globe President Obama said yesterday that in defending the right of Muslims to build a community center and mosque near ground zero in New York, he was รขnot commenting on the wisdom'' of the project, but trying to uphold the principle that government should ... Obama: Backing Muslims' right to build NYC mosque is not an endorsement Mosque divide enters Florida politics Obama redefines what he meant when he supported mosque at Ground Zero |