〈The Standard, Dec 20, 2025〉The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors suggested on December 19 that the government enact dedicated legislation to form a body for acquiring all Wang Fuk Court properties and handling insurance claims, estimated at HK$50-70 billion, amid debates on relocating residents after the Level 5 blaze. Seven of the estate's eight blocks were engulfed in flames, sparing only Wang Chi House, with widespread calls for proper victim housing. The institute argued that the 40-year-old structures suffered extensive damage to frameworks, utilities, and elevators from prolonged heat, compounded by residents' trauma, making on-site repairs unfeasible.
〈Hong Kong Business, Dec 19,2025〉The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 3.8% in the September-to-November period and is unchanged from the August-to-October period, the Census & Statistics Department said.
Total employment was 3.67 million, down around 2,800 from August to October, whilst the labour force also decreased by around 8,000 to 3.81 million it added.
The underemployment rate, meanwhile, remained at 1.6%.
Secretary for Labour & Welfare Chris Sun said the solid expansion of the Hong Kong economy and improving consumer confidence should continue to support the overall labour market.
〈The Standard, Dec 18, 2025〉Hong Kong’s primary residential market could see more than 30,000 units of potential supply next year, combining new project launches and unsold inventory, as developers accelerate sales in response to resilient demand, property agency Ricacorp said. Buoyant first-hand home transactions this year, driven by developers pricing new projects close to market levels, are likely to reach about 19,900 deals for the full year, said Ricacorp Properties head of research Derek Chan Hoi-chiu. Developers are expected to capitalise on the momentum by stepping up launches next year, with more than 18,000 units coming from brand-new projects, while the timing of releases will hinge on market conditions, he said. Unsold stock has declined to about 20,000 units, and Chan said developers are likely to pursue a dual approach next year by marketing both new projects and existing inventory. Source URL : Hong Kong home supply to top 30,000 units in 2026, Ricacorp says.
〈Asian Post, Dec 17, 2025〉End-users are expected to remain the dominant force in Hong Kong’s commercial property market in 2026, particularly for core, premium office assets, as occupiers continue to prioritise quality, according to JLL’s 2026 capital markets forecast.
The firm said investor interest is also likely to build in hotel and living sectors, including purpose-built student accommodation, whilst transaction activity in Grade B offices could rise as owners explore conversion opportunities.
JLL cautioned, however, that tight commercial real estate lending conditions and ongoing macroeconomic risks are expected to limit any near-term recovery in capital values. Pricing across sectors is still seeking a bottom, the firm said.
〈RTHK News, Dec 16, 2025〉US consumer inflation slowed unexpectedly in November, delayed government data showed on Thursday, although levels remained higher than earlier in the year before US President Donald Trump's tariffs flowed through the economy.
The consumer price index (CPI) climbed 2.7 percent from a year ago in November, the Department of Labour said, notably below analysts' predictions of a 3.1 percent uptick.
The latest figure was also down from the 3.0 percent rise in September, the most recent month for which fuller data was available due to a lengthy government shutdown.
Inflation has ticked up this year as Trump slapped new tariffs on goods from US trading partners, causing many firms to flag a hike in business costs.
