News Summary: HK frets Fed plan could spur bubble

My Fox Spokane Biz
News Summary: HK frets Fed plan could spur bubble

By The Associated Press

INVESTORS CHEER: The Fed's latest plan to spend billions on securities and keep interest rates near zero is being hailed by investors, but in Hong Kong, officials are worried about the local housing market overheating.

EXPENSIVE SPOT: Hong Kong is one of the most the world's least affordable places to live. House prices have nearly doubled since the start of 2009 because of low interest rates, easy credit, an influx of money from mainland China and limited supply.

DOLLAR LINK: Because Hong Kong's currency is pegged to the U.S. dollar, officials must follow U.S. monetary policy and can't raise interest rates to cool the property market. Instead, they have tightened requirements on mortgage borrowers and limited the length of loans to 30 years.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Most Popular Stories

Protesters chant 'Stop the IRS' in Cincinnati

Protesters chant 'Stop the IRS' in Cincinnati
By DAN SEWELLAssociated Press CINCINNATI (AP) - Tea party activists waving flags and signs, singing patriotic songs and chanting anti-IRS slogans protested outside federal buildings across the country Tuesday to protest the agency's extra scrutiny of conservative groups. A crowd packed the

Small Fla. city anxious to learn jackpot winner

Small Fla. city anxious to learn jackpot winner
By TAMARA LUSH and BARBARA RODRIGUEZAssociated Press ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. (AP) - It could be an anxious wait of up to two months for people in a small Florida city to find out who won the highest Powerball jackpot in history: an estimated $590.5 million. The lucky ticket was bought sometime Saturday

WATCH LIVE: Clay Starbuck Trial Happening Now; Accused Of Murdering His Ex Wife

WATCH LIVE: Clay Starbuck Trial Happening Now; Accused Of Murdering His Ex Wife
SPOKANE, Wash. – The trial of Clay Starbuck, charged with killing his ex-wife Chanin and sexually violating her remains, entered its third week Monday at the Spokane County Courthouse. Chanin Starbuck was found strangled to death in her Deer Park home in December of 2011, and Clay