KUALA LUMPUR: Jones Lang LaSalle is anticipating a 30% to 40% rise in direct commercial real estate investment volumes globally in 2010. The global real estate services firm in its Global Market Perspective February 2010 report said the Americas, because they are coming from a low base, may be poised to see the fastest rate of growth at a projected 50% to 60%.

KUALA LUMPUR: YTL Corp Bhd's balance sheet remains constrained by its hefty debt load, says RAM Ratings Bhd.

The ratings agency said on Thursday, March 11 that for the purpose of company-level analysis, it included some RM2.18 billion of corporate guarantees, which YTL Corp had extended to its acquisitions in Singapore.

SHANGHAI: China's biggest homebuilder, China State Construction Engineering Corp (CSCEC), posted big gains in its construction and real estate business in January and February, signalling continued strength in the property market.

Glomac Bhd
(March 10, RM1.29)

KUALA LUMPUR: Gamuda Bhd and WCT Bhd remain top picks of the construction sector despite news of negative development on their joint-venture company in Qatar, a research house said.

KUALA LUMPUR: RHB Research Institute is maintaining its Underperform on Gamuda Bhd as its rich valuations have more than priced in the infrastructure company’s earnings buffer from its RM7.5 billion outstanding construction orderbook.

KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore’s CapitaMalls Asia Ltd, the shopping mall development arm of CapitaLand Ltd, is looking at Malaysia as a key growth area for its retail properties business.

Its Malaysia general manager Yong Kei Seng said with its recent listing in Singapore, the company was on the lookout for areas for future investments and developments.

MARANG (Terengganu): Le Tour de Langkawi (LtdL) 2010 Sprint King Anuar Manan will be rewarded with a piece of land and RM10,000 by the Terengganu government for winning two jerseys in the competition.

Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said the rewards were approved at the state executive council meeting here on Wednesday March 10.

KUALA TERENGGANU: The failure by all parties appointed to build the Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin Stadium (SSMZA) to adhere to specifications stated in the building contract has been cited as the reason for the collapse of its roof on June 2, last year.