Hong Kong’s high-street retail rents have never been cheap and this has been especially true in the past few months, during which rents have risen steadily higher.
And though landlords have been very aggressive in raising prices, there has been no shortage of retailers (mainly luxury or international retail giants) bidding for the same location.

Australand posts net profit of A$165.8 milAustraland Property Group posted a net profit of A$165.8 million in FY2010, reversing the red ink of A$298.2 million in FY2009. The net profit includes an investment property revaluation gain of A$38.9 million. Distribution per security was 20.5 cents. Revenue in the same year to Dec 31, 2010, was up 9% to A$749.3 million.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Pacific Corporation Bhd recorded a 2Q net loss of RM4.745 million, compared to a net loss of RM3.258 million a year ago in its financial statement ended Dec 31, 2010, it announced on Friday, Feb 18.

Revenue earned dropped by 17.4% to RM2.424 million from RM2.935 million the previous year.

KUALA LUMPUR: Mudajaya Group Bhd achieved a net profit increase of 39% to RM57.091 million from RM41.054 million a year ago, it stated in its fourth quarter (4Q) financial statements ended Dec 31, 2010 released on Friday, Feb 18.

Revenue collected for 4Q rose 8.75% to RM230.295 million from RM211.763 million last year.

HONG KONG: The CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, proposes change to the management of Asia-Pacific REITs to protect investors' interest in its Asia-Pacific REITs: Building Trust Though Better REIT Governance report release from its Hong Kong office on Friday Feb 18.

CHENNAI: Malaysia has proposed a low cost housing model to the Andhra Pradesh state government, a concept to help eradicate slum dwellers, and provide affordable housing for the local population.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project is expect to spark more joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions (M&As) by property developers to secure strategic land banks near rail lines, says HwangDBS Vickers Research associate director Yee Mei Hui.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) are good investing alternatives for the more risk averse investors, particularly during periods of increased market volatility, with their higher than market average yields and defensive profiles.

GEORGE TOWN: Hunza Properties Bhd is targeting the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), consisting of north Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand and Sumatra with a combined population of over 40 million, for its new integrated township development in Bayan Baru on the south western end of Penang island.Hunza, which bought the 42-acre site for RM82 million last year at RM45 pe

KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore-based CapitaLand’s wholly owned serviced residence business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott) is growing its presence in Malaysia. It recently opened a new 207-unit serviced residence known as Somerset Ampang Kuala Lumpur in the Embassy Row area of Kuala Lumpur. It has also secured a contract to manage the Citadines D’Pulze Cyberjaya, a 232-unit property in Cyberjaya.