BEIJING: China's property prices increased at their slowest pace in more than a year in February after a succession of policy moves by the government to cool the real estate market.

BEIJING: New home prices rose 6.8% in Beijing in February from a year earlier, flat from an annual increase of 6.8% in January, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Friday, Mar 18.

In Shanghai, the prices were up 2.3% in February compared with a rise of 1.5% in January.

KUALA LUMPUR: Developer UDA Holdings Bhd is selling the shop office blocks at its Sinaran TTDI project in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) by tender.

PUCHONG: The first condominium block of Casa Tropika in Batu 14, Puchong, has been sold out since it was opened for sale in early January, said TSI Holdings Sdn Bhd group managing director Datuk Lim Seng Kok.

WCT Bhd (Mar 17, RM2.95)

HONG KONG: People using Hong Kong as a hub for evacuation from disaster-stricken Japan may need to turn to other regional centres because of a shortage of hotel rooms.

KUALA LUMPUR: RHB Research said while it remains positive on the sector, it  is not bullish particularly in the coming 2Q11 considering the volatile market ahead.
It said on Friday, March 18 the property sector is known for its cyclical and high beta nature, and it is not a heavy weight component in the FBM KLCI.

• SP Setia Bhd turned in a strong net profit of RM62mil (+62% YoY) for 1QFY11, which was spot on - although covering only 20% of our estimates but 23% of consensus’ – as earnings would be stronger in the subsequent quarters with strong progress billings.

Property

KUALA LUMPUR: Sime Darby Property has achieved good sales for its recent residential property launches in the Klang Valley.

The Casa Rimba superlink homes in Melawati, Kuala Lumpur launched in December 2010 has been fully sold as of Feb 24. The 26 units have sizes ranging from 3,935 to 4,010 sq ft and tagged from RM1.38 million to RM2 million.