Global Real Estate & Economy Brief — 2026-02-02

🌍 At a Glance

• US Fed Funds Rate: 3.72 (as of 2025-12-01)
• US 30Y Mortgage: 6.1 (as of 2026-01-29)
• ECB Policy Rate: 2.0 [FRED:ECBDFR] as of 2026-01-30
• BoE Bank Rate: 3.75 (as of 2025-12-18)

🇺🇸 United States

• What Do Luca Dončić, Shedeur Sanders and Sabrina Ionescu Have In Common? House Burglars. — Recent burglaries targeting sports stars have prompted heightened vigilance from league officials and law enforcement.
• Should Rent-Stabilized New Yorkers Count on the Mamdani Rate Freeze? — Rent-stabilized tenants in New York face a choice between a 3% or 4.5% rent increase, raising questions about the best option.
• Gene Hackman’s Santa Fe Compound Is for Sale a Year After His Death — Gene Hackman's Santa Fe estate is on the market, following other high-profile listings from notable estates.

🇪🇺 Europe

• Mandelson resigns from Labour to avoid causing it ‘further embarrassment’ — Peter Mandelson resigns from Labour to prevent further embarrassment amid revelations about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
• UK should consider resuming talks on EU defence pact, Starmer says — Keir Starmer advocates for the UK to resume EU defence pact talks, emphasizing Europe's need for enhanced military collaboration.
• ‘Deadly postcode lottery’ restricting new cancer treatments in England, doctors say — Doctors warn of a "deadly postcode lottery" in England, restricting cancer patients' access to innovative radiotherapy treatments.

🌏 Asia

• Harry Styles and Anthony Joshua among UK's top taxpayers — Harry Styles and Anthony Joshua debut on the Sunday Times list of the UK's top taxpayers.
• French tech giant Capgemini to sell US subsidiary working for ICE — Capgemini plans to sell its US subsidiary amid scrutiny of US immigration enforcement practices.
• Asda has lost its mojo and has a big fight to get it back — Asda struggles to regain market share despite efforts to turn around its declining performance.

🎯 GPT Strategy

🇺🇸 United States

• **Positioning Idea:** Consider investing in security-focused REITs as demand for enhanced safety measures rises among high-net-worth individuals.
• **Risk Note:** Market volatility may impact REIT performance.
• **Positioning Idea:** Explore multifamily housing ETFs, particularly those with exposure to rent-stabilized markets, as rent increases may stabilize cash flows.

🇪🇺 Europe

• **Positioning Idea**: Consider investing in European defense ETFs to capitalize on potential increases in military spending amid renewed collaboration discussions.
• **Risk Note**: Geopolitical tensions may impact defense budgets unpredictably.
• **Positioning Idea**: Explore healthcare REITs focusing on specialized treatment facilities, as demand for innovative cancer therapies may rise amid healthcare access concerns.

🌏 Asia

• **Positioning Idea:** Consider investing in UK retail REITs, as celebrity tax contributions may boost consumer confidence and spending.
• **Risk Note:** Economic fluctuations could impact retail performance.
• **Positioning Idea:** Look into technology-focused ETFs, as Capgemini's divestiture may signal shifts in the tech labor market and immigration policies.

Not financial advice. Educational insights only.