Global Real Estate & Economy Brief — 2026-01-04

🌍 At a Glance

• US Fed Funds Rate: 3.72 (as of 2025-12-01)
• US 30Y Mortgage: 6.15 (as of 2025-12-31)
• ECB Policy Rate: 2.0 [FRED:ECBDFR] as of 2026-01-02
• BoE Bank Rate: 3.75 (as of 2025-12-18)

🇺🇸 United States

• The City’s Most Impressive Skylights — New York's skylights blend functionality and artistry, making them highly sought-after design elements.
• $2 Million Homes in London — Explore $2 million homes in London, featuring unique properties like a loft and a historic house.
• Los Angeles Fridge Law Ends Baffling Rite of Passage for Renters — Los Angeles landlords are now required to supply tenants with operational refrigerators, ending a long-standing rental tradition.

🇪🇺 Europe

• Reform UK says it would impose whole-life jail terms on child rapists — Reform UK plans to implement mandatory whole-life sentences for child rapists if elected, eliminating parole eligibility.
• More than half of UK therapists report rise in out-of-control porn use — Over half of UK therapists report an increase in clients struggling with excessive pornography use affecting their lives.
• Britain not involved in US Venezuela attack, says Keir Starmer — Keir Starmer confirms the UK is not involved in the recent US military operation in Venezuela.

🌏 Asia

• FTSE 100 hits 10,000 mark for first time — The FTSE 100 reached the 10,000 milestone on the first trading day of the year.
• Woman felt 'dehumanised' after Musk's Grok AI used to digitally remove her clothes — A woman reported feeling 'dehumanised' after Musk's Grok AI digitally undressed her without consent.
• China's BYD overtakes Tesla as world's top EV seller — BYD has surpassed Tesla to become the world's leading electric vehicle seller for the first time.

🎯 GPT Strategy

🇺🇸 United States

• **Positioning Idea:** Invest in REITs focused on urban residential properties to capitalize on rising demand for unique living spaces.
• **Risk Note:** Urban regulatory changes may impact profitability.
• **Positioning Idea:** Consider ETFs targeting luxury real estate markets, benefiting from high-value properties in cities like London and New York.

🇪🇺 Europe

• **Position in UK REITs focused on healthcare facilities**: Increased demand for mental health services may drive growth in healthcare real estate. *Risk: Regulatory changes could impact funding.*
• **Consider investing in UK-focused ETFs with a social impact angle**: Growing awareness of social issues may favor companies addressing mental health and rehabilitation. *Risk: Market sentiment can be volatile.*
• **Explore defensive sectors like utilities or consumer staples**: Political reforms and social challenges may lead to economic uncertainty, making these sectors more resilient. *Risk: Inflation could erode margins.*

🌏 Asia

• **Position in UK Equities ETF**: Consider UK-focused ETFs to capitalize on FTSE 100 momentum. Risk: Potential volatility from geopolitical tensions or economic shifts.
• **Invest in EV Sector ETFs**: Explore ETFs focused on electric vehicles and clean energy, leveraging BYD's market leadership. Risk: Regulatory changes and supply chain disruptions could impact growth.
• **Macro Hedge with Tech REITs**: Allocate to tech-focused REITs as AI adoption grows, despite ethical concerns. Risk: Market sentiment could shift rapidly based on tech regulation news.

Not financial advice. Educational insights only.