Global Real Estate & Economy Brief — 2026-02-13

🌍 At a Glance

• US Fed Funds Rate: 3.64 (as of 2026-01-01)
• US 30Y Mortgage: 6.09 (as of 2026-02-12)
• ECB Policy Rate: 2.0 [FRED:ECBDFR] as of 2026-02-12
• BoE Bank Rate: 3.75 (as of 2025-12-18)

🇺🇸 United States

• What Homeowners Need to Know About Smart Home Cameras — A Super Bowl ad highlights concerns regarding the surveillance capabilities of doorbell cameras for homeowners.
• Does Moving In to Save Money Spell Doom for a Relationship? — A survey reveals that 33% of couples cohabitate primarily to reduce rental expenses.
• Homes for Sale in Manhattan and Brooklyn — Current real estate listings feature homes in Sutton Place, Harlem, and Flatbush.

🇪🇺 Europe

• UK economy grows by only 0.1% amid falling business investment — The UK economy grew by just 0.1% in late 2025, hindered by weak consumer spending and declining business investment.
• Family tells of ‘profound sadness’ after jury finds Strictly dancer took his own life — The family of Strictly dancer Robin Windsor expressed deep sorrow following the inquest's conclusion that he took his own life due to vulnerability.
• Gender guidance for English primary school pupils permits use of different pronouns — New guidance allows English primary school pupils to use different pronouns, urging teachers to approach social transition requests with caution.

🌏 Asia

• Tesco plans to give under-18s Clubcard access this year — Tesco's Clubcard access for under-18s is seen as a significant victory for consumers by advocacy group Which?.
• US antitrust chief resigns amid tensions with Trump officials — The resignation of US antitrust chief Gail Slater highlights ongoing tensions with Trump administration officials regarding merger oversight.
• Trump revokes key climate ruling which he says has made cars pricier — Trump's repeal of a climate ruling aims to reduce car costs, but critics warn it may lead to higher long-term expenses for consumers.

🎯 GPT Strategy

🇺🇸 United States

• **Positioning Idea:** Invest in residential REITs focused on urban areas to capitalize on increased cohabitation trends.
• **Risk Note:** Economic downturns could impact rental demand.
• **Positioning Idea:** Consider ETFs that focus on smart home technology and security solutions, responding to rising surveillance concerns.

🇪🇺 Europe

• **Positioning Idea:** Consider investing in defensive REITs focused on essential services, as weak consumer spending may drive demand for stable, income-generating properties.
• **Risk Note:** Economic stagnation could impact rental income stability.
• **Positioning Idea:** Explore ETFs targeting consumer staples, as low growth in the UK economy may shift investor focus towards resilient sectors.

🌏 Asia

• **Positioning Idea:** Consider investing in consumer staples ETFs, as increased access to loyalty programs may boost retail sales.
• **Risk Note:** Economic downturns could impact consumer spending.
• **Positioning Idea:** Explore REITs focused on retail properties, benefiting from enhanced consumer engagement through loyalty programs.

Not financial advice. Educational insights only.