Real-time News

September 1st - Data from the National Association of Home Mortgage Borrowers (NAM) shows that UK house prices rose in August, indicating that housing demand remains resilient despite the economic impact of the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran. The average UK house price rose 0.2% in August to £275,465, reversing a revised 0.1% decline in the previous month. August's price performance was slightly better than economists' expectations of a 0.1% increase. This data suggests that the UK housing market may be weathering the impact of the Middle East conflict. Ample household savings and Prime Minister Andy Burnham's cost-of-living measures are helping to maintain housing demand. However, energy costs remain high, and house prices have fallen in two of the past four months. Overall economic sentiment in the UK may deteriorate further. The Iranian energy shock has dampened market hopes for interest rate cuts, with traders now expecting the Bank of England to raise rates by 25 basis points by the end of the year. Meanwhile, speculation surrounding potential tax increases in the new Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healy's first budget could further dampen the willingness of potential homebuyers.

The UK's Nationwide house price index rose 1.6% year-on-year in August, below the expected 2% and the previous reading revised from 1.80% to 1.4%.

Germany's real retail sales fell 3.4% month-on-month in July, compared with an expected 0.4% and a previous reading of -0.7%.

Germany's real retail sales fell 2.5% year-on-year in July, compared with a previous reading of -0.2%.

The chart shows that at 22:00 Beijing time on September 1st, there will be large foreign exchange options contracts for Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound, and Australian Dollar expiring. There are no large contracts with strike prices exceeding 1 billion. Please manage your risks.

Both WTI and Brent crude oil prices fell by about $0.60 in the short term, currently trading at $85.48 per barrel and $90.42 per barrel, respectively.

On September 1st, US Vice President Vance stated that Washington's current focus during this phase of the war against Iran is ensuring the free passage of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with Fox News, Vance said the US attack on Larak Island on Sunday was aimed at preventing Iran from laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. He accused the Iranian leadership of "lacking strategic wisdom" in its attempts to cut off oil and gas exports. Vance said, "What I find strange is that they sometimes even fire on their own allies just to stop the free flow of oil and gas." He also called Iranian leaders "really crazy." Vance added that Washington had previously anticipated Tehran taking such action.

September 1st - The maximum mortgage term has been extended from 30 to 40 years, and the progress of the policy implementation varies among banks. It is understood that most banks have not yet received internal operational instructions and are still awaiting guidance. However, some banks have already clarified that 40-year loans are available, while some joint-stock banks have set a maximum age limit of 75 years for the borrower's age plus the loan term. An employee of a state-owned bank that has already implemented the policy stated that the longer term means less monthly repayment pressure, but the total interest expense will increase accordingly. A customer manager at a bank that has implemented the new policy explained that customers who previously had 30-year loans can now apply to extend them to 40 years. For example, a 1 million yuan loan extended from 30 to 40 years would have its annual principal payment reduced by 7,000 yuan.

September 1st - To guide local governments in implementing basic public health services in 2026, the National Health Commission, the Ministry of Finance, the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention jointly issued a "Notice on Doing a Good Job in Basic Public Health Services in 2026." The notice stipulates that the per capita government subsidy for basic public health services in 2026 will be 99 yuan, requiring all localities to fully implement and properly manage the use of funds to improve the equalization of basic public health services.

The acting governor of the region stated that a Ukrainian attack on Russia's Belgorod region resulted in one death.

Iranian Students' News Agency: The Iranian president stated at the SCO summit that Iran will respond immediately should the United States reinstate its commitments to the June memorandum of understanding.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister: This display of American power is expected to boost diplomacy, signaling to the Kremlin that the game is over, forcing Putin to the negotiating table, and finally ending this pointless bloodshed.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister: The US bill to sanction Russia remains crucial.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister: In this situation, we need to quickly restart the full utilization of frozen Russian assets through anti-ballistic missile sanctions targeting Russian ballistic production, as well as other sanctions in Europe and other regions.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister: There is no other way but to increase pressure on Moscow. While Ukraine intensifies battlefield pressure, we expect our partners to increase economic pressure on Moscow before winter arrives and strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities and energy resilience.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister: We urge our partners to abandon any illusions about his true intentions as he continues to reject fair peace proposals.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister: Zelenskyy is ready for an unconditional meeting at a neutral location to seek a workable solution, stop the killings, and turn to diplomacy. However, Putin continues to avoid such meetings.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister: Ukraine is ready to end the war and to reach a reconciliation based on the realities of the battlefield, on fair terms rather than with an ultimatum.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister: This attack, along with other recent attacks, shows that Putin has shown no realism or genuine desire to end the war he cannot win. On the contrary, he continues to escalate terrorist attacks.