▪ North America's listed real estate market has led global REIT performance in 2026, achieving a 16.3% total return year-to-date. Data centers were the strongest performing sector globally, with a 31.6% return through August.

▪ The fifth edition of the Saudi real estate development and ownership exhibition, SEREDO 2026, attracted approximately 35,000 visitors over three days. This engagement highlights continued strong interest in the region's property market.

▪ Dubai Holding awarded a $1.36 billion construction contract to China State Construction Engineering Corporation Middle East (CSCEC ME). This deal is for the group's new headquarters and the Jumeirah Residences Emirates Towers.

▪ Saudi Arabia's cement sales in August remained stable year-on-year, though monthly volumes declined. This was attributed to weaker exports offsetting modest growth in the domestic market.

▪ Qassim Cement Company has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of A-Mix Company, a Saudi ready-mix concrete producer, for $17.3 million. This strategic acquisition expands its market presence.

▪ Gamra Mountain Resort by Mantis has officially opened in Saudi Arabia's southwestern highlands of Al Baha. This marks the Saudi debut of Accor's community and conservation-focused hospitality brand.

▪ Africa's commercial real estate investment is expanding beyond traditional hubs like South Africa, Egypt, and Morocco to include a wider range of countries. Côte d'Ivoire is emerging as a strong candidate due to infrastructure investment and growing commercial importance.

▪ South Korean real estate developers and traditional construction firms have formed a private-sector partnership to target the global development market. This initiative combines developers' planning capabilities with builders' overseas networks.

▪ Patrick Chau has been appointed Executive Director and Head of Residential, Capital Markets for international consultants in Hong Kong. This role is effective starting September 9, 2026.

▪ Japan's Grade A office vacancy rates are nearing historic lows, indicating strong demand in the commercial real estate sector. This trend suggests a tightening market for prime office spaces.

▪ Hong Kong's office vacancy rates fell to 16.1% in the first half of the year, signaling a notable improvement in the commercial office market. This reduction suggests increasing demand for office space.

▪ Taiwan's Grade A office vacancy has declined to 7.9%, driven by growing demand from the technology sector. This highlights the tech industry's impact on prime commercial real estate.

▪ Singapore's prime residential values are forecast to rise up to 3.9% in the second half of 2026. This indicates a positive outlook for the high-end housing market.

▪ Malaysia's data center capacity has more than doubled in just two years, reflecting rapid expansion in digital infrastructure. This growth supports the country's position as a regional tech hub.

▪ Manufacturing has risen to become India's second-largest industrial leasing segment, reflecting significant growth and diversification in the industrial real estate sector. This trend underscores India's evolving industrial landscape.

▪ Slovakia's commercial real estate market saw a noticeable recovery in Q2 2026, with approximately €137 million in transactions. Domestic and neighboring Czech investors were the primary drivers of this increased activity.