China's red-hot property market shows no signs of slowing

THE RISE OF CHINA
By Charles Riley @CRrileyCNN May 20, 2013: 1:12 AM ET
Article from http://money.cnn.com/2013/05/20/news/economy/china-property/index.html

Property prices in China increased again in April.

HONG KONG (CNNMoney)

Property prices continued to rise last month in China, defying policymakers who have sought to cool the housing market while preserving robust economic growth.

Housing prices rose in 68 of 70 Chinese cities in April when compared to the previous month, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Compared to last year, prices were higher in all but two of the 70 cities tracked by the government.

Prices in the capital, Beijing, registered one of the largest increases, rising 10.3% over the previous year. In the southern manufacturing hub of Shenzhen, prices jumped 11.3%.

On average, new home prices across the cities increased 4.3% over the previous year.

Fearing the development of a real estate bubble, China has sought to stem rising property prices in recent months. But policymakers have also been forced to consider the broader impact of such policies as China's economy shows signs of slower economic growth.

"This [data] suggests that polices aimed at cooling the property market have not yet tightened sufficiently," said Zhiwei Zhang, an economist at Nomura. "We believe this will add further pressure on the government to tighten monetary policy in the months ahead."

China's urban housing costs have grown for much of the last decade, sparking a cycle of government reaction. Earlier this year, the central government directed local governments to rein in housing prices by April 1.

Authorities in Shanghai told banks to stop issuing loans to individuals attempting the purchase of a third home.

Beijing announced that single residents will now be allowed to purchase only one home. Both cities said they would strictly enforce a 20% capital gains tax on income earned in property sales.

The announcements set off a fresh wave of buying to beat the restrictions, and some couples even hatched schemes to skirt ownership restrictions by obtaining a divorce.

Yet additional measures may be required if the market does not soon show signs of deceleration.

Citing rampant speculation and poor planning, some China analysts are worried about the development -- and possible deflation -- of a housing bubble. Chinese citizens have limited investment options, and real estate is a popular choice for those looking to expand their portfolio.

Yet other analysts insist that fears of a bubble are overstated. Hundreds of millions of Chinese are expected to move from rural areas to cities over the next decade, they say, and demand is likely to remain strong.  

Charles Riley @CRrileyCNN May 20, 2013: 1:12 AM ET
Article from http://money.cnn.com/2013/05/20/news/economy/china-property/index.html

Study Confirms College Endowment Drop

By TAMAR LEWIN
Published: February 1, 2013
Article from http://www.nytimes.com/

On average, college and university endowments’ investments lost 0.3 percent in the last fiscal year, a sharp drop from the average return of 19.2 percent in fiscal 2011, according to a study by the Commonfund Institute and the National Association of College and University Business Officers, known as Nacubo.

The returns were dragged down mostly by the dismal performance of international equities, whose returns declined by 11.9 percent, attributable in good part to the economic turmoil in Europe and the slowdown in China. Domestic stocks had an average return of 2 percent, and fixed-income assets 6.8 percent.

The study, based on data from 831 American colleges and universities with a total of more than $400 billion in endowment assets, showed more positive long-term results. Preliminary results were released in late October.

“Over the last 10 years, the average rate of return was 6.2 percent,” said John D. Walda, the president of Nacubo. “That’s a good number when you compare it with various indices.”

In the fiscal year that ended in June 2011, the average 10-year return was 5.6 percent.

The study, which includes large and small institutions, public and private, found that those with the largest endowments had the greatest returns last year. Among universities with endowments greater than $1 billion, the average return was 0.8 percent. Those with endowments of $25 million to $500 million had negative returns, and those with endowments under $25 million had a return of 0.3 percent.

Altogether, 71 institutions have endowments greater than $1 billion, and 145 have more than $500 million.

The colleges and universities in the study spent an average of 4.2 percent of their assets last year to support their operations, down from 4.6 percent the previous year. But while the spending rate had declined somewhat, the average dollars spent per institution grew by about 7 percent. Most colleges and universities have a policy of spending 4 percent to 5 percent of their average endowment value over the previous three years, so the sharp rises in endowment values in 2010 and 2011 increased the amount paid out last year.

The institutions with the largest endowments, which get a significant portion of their operating budgets from endowment spending, spent an average of 4.7 percent last year. The institutions with the smallest endowments spent slightly under 4 percent.

“The long-term goal of most endowments is to exist in perpetuity and grow with the rate of inflation,” said Verne O. Sedlacek, president of Commonfund.

To do that while paying out 4 percent to 5 percent a year, he said, would require annual returns of at least 8 percent, given that the higher education price index has been rising about 3.8 percent a year over the last decade. “Universities are still not back to where they need to be,” Mr. Sedlacek said.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

Correction: February 6, 2013

Because of an editing error, an article on Friday about a study of university endowments misstated the change in their investment returns. On average, college and university endowments lost 0.3 percent in the fiscal year ending in June, a sharp drop from the average gain of 19.2 percent in the 2011 fiscal year; the returns on endowments did not decline by 0.3 percent.

TAMAR LEWIN

Published: February 1, 2013

Article from http://www.nytimes.com/

Community Endowment Fund awards $100,000 in local grants

Ukiah Daily Journal Staff
Updated:   05/15/2013 12:00:32 AM PDT
Article from http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/news/

Ukiah Daily Journal

One hundred thousand dollars in local grants were awarded at the March 5 meeting of the Community Foundation. These grants were made possible through the Community Foundation's "Community Endowment Fund."

"The Community Endowment has been built by contributions that vary from a check for twenty-five dollars to an estate gift valued at several hundred thousand dollars," says Board President Jim Mayfield. "By giving to the Community Endowment, our donors know their gifts will be used here in Mendocino County, doing good, for the long term."

Megan Barber Allende, the Community Foundation Director of Grants and Programs, notes that the Community Endowment Fund has been built by donors with various interests, and all of these are reflected in the grants. "We awarded grants for youth, to help the poor, for the arts, to preserve the natural beauty of this place, and for many other areas of interest. We do it all through the big umbrella of the Endowment Fund."

The grants funded through the Community Endowment Fund are reviewed by regional volunteers, as well as a Board Committee. Grants are made in all regions of the county, and fund grassroots as well as more established non-profit organizations.

Countywide

Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County­$4,800: To develop and implement program management modules aligned with CRCMC's Salesforce platform, convert CRCMC's website toa non-HTML platform, and train CRCMC staff to use and maintain both of these systems.

Mendocino County Public Broadcasting­$5,000: For a new digital, remote-controllable console at the KZYX studio in Philo, ensuring continuous radio service for all of Mendocino County.

Ukiah

Alex Rorabaugh Center­$2,000: To hire a community liaison/program developer for the "Open ARC Night" pilot program, opening the Alex Rorabaugh Center for use by neighborhood residents at no cost.

Ford Street Project, Inc.­$5,000: To implement NonProfit EASY to improve the website and develop communication and data management tools to integrate donor and volunteer databases, improve the Food Bank data collection process and enable workshop enrollment and on-line scheduling.

Mendocino County Youth Project­$5,000: To assist with rent and utilities for the 2bu Clothes Closet while MCYP integrates it into its program and funding structures, maintaining the current program while simultaneously expanding its services.

Redwood Valley Outdoor Education Project­$4,000: To develop a business plan, expand fundraising activities, and engage new donors--immediate and long term-- in order to sustain RVOEP's unique program and ensure that outdoor learning opportunities are available for generations to come.

School of Performing Arts and Cultural Education (SPACE)­$2,500: To purchase a new computer and two mini-servers to improve SPACE's administrative capacity.

TLC Child & Family Services­$1,500: To prepare the ground for an outdoor play area for neglected and abused children at TLC's short-term emergency shelter in Ukiah.

Ukiah Symphony Orchestra­$1,500: To purchase 42 music stands for use during Ukiah Symphony Orchestra rehearsals and concerts, enabling more flexibility for concerts and fundraising events and eliminating the organization's current dependence on Mendocino College.

For more information about the other 21 grants or how you can make a gift to the Community Endowment Fund, visit www.communityfound.org.

Anderson Valley

Anderson Valley Health Center­$4,000: To restore the Anderson Valley High School track to a multi-season fitness space useable to promote health and fitness among students and community members alike.

Anderson Valley Land Trust­$5,000: To conduct a series of educational workshops that will provide tools and strategies for farmers, ranchers, forestland owners, local resource organizations, and professionals to preserve working rural lands in Anderson Valley.

Laytonville/Leggett

Laytonville Unified School District­$5,000: To purchase supplies and additional instructional hours for the music teacher in order to expand, diversify and sustain the art and music program at Laytonville Elementary School.

North Coast

Community Center of Mendocino­$4,000: To outfit the dance studio with folding mats and exercise equipment in order to enhance the Community Center of Mendocino offerings of classes and activities for all ages, including Brain Gym, tumbling, Pilates, and step aerobics.

Gloriana Musical Theatre­$2,000: To reconstruct and redesign approximately 20 pages of the Gloriana Musical Theatre website with video clips and improved interfacing to support promotion of future productions, events, and educational programs.

Lighthouse Foursquare Church­$2,000: For a dishwasher and new countertop to enhance the meal program provided by Lighthouse Foursquare Church to poor and homeless coast residents.

Mendocino Film Festival­$4,000: To retain a graphic arts consultant to create templates for annual print publications, assemble templates into a user-friendly "cookbook", prepare volunteers to use these new tools, and aid MFF in sharing approach with other non-profits.

Mendocino Woodlands Camp Association­$3,000: For marketing materials and local outreach activities to elementary schools, home school programs, and colleges to encourage participation in Mendocino Woodlands environmental education program.

Pacific Textile Arts­$4,000: To assist with the installation of a translucent roof over a courtyard on the Pacific Textile Arts campus, providing a protected space for outside classes, a raised bed garden of dye plants and a rain water collection system.

Renewable Energy Development Institute­$4,000: To expand the existing Home Energy Link Program (HELP) to low income families on the Mendocino Coast, providing access to a wide variety of free energy and money saving programs.

Round Valley

KYBU: Round Valley Community Radio­$3,500: To purchase remote broadcasting equipment for KYBU Round Valley Community Radio and provide training for youth and adult community volunteers to broadcast live from local events and meetings.

Round Valley Indian Health Center/Family Resource Center­$1,000: To purchase computers to assist with the establishment of a Community Computer Center in the new Round Valley Family Resource Center.

South Coast

Acorn Independent Learning Center­$2,500: To deliver three 4-6 week sessions of garden-based education programs to approximately 60 children from local South Coast elementary schools, fostering an appreciation and understanding of our local environment and food systems.

GED Program of Point Arena­$1,000: To purchase computers to better prepare students for the upcoming online GED testing requirement.

Point Arena High School­$5,000: To enhance the newly built track with the purchase of 80 hurdles, 8 starting blocks, sand for long jump, and fencing for shot put allowing the PAHS track & field team to train for and host meets for their parents and the broader community to enjoy.

South Coast Seniors­$3,300: To purchase and install an ice maker which will be used to maintain the freshness of food served during senior congregate dining, fundraisers, and in the Meals-on-Wheels program, creating substantial organizational savings over the long-term.

Willits

Charter School Association of Willits­$3,000: To purchase a two-door commercial refrigerator for Willits Elementary Charter School, enhancing food safety at the site.

Nuestra Alianza de Willits­$4,000: To assist with office rent and utilities during the organization's transition from Mendocino College to self-sufficiency, enabling it to develop a business plan and the Board leadership skills necessary to cover these costs well into the future.

Willits Daily Bread­$3,400: To purchase a new commercial refrigerator in order to improve food safety and reduce energy costs.

Willits Community Theatre­$1,000: For the costs associated with initiating and recording a series of workshops designed to inspire interest in theater from community members traditionally outside the scope of committed theater "regulars", thereby expanding WCT's volunteer base.

Willits Kids Club­$4,000: For tree protection and staking for over 70 new trees in the Willits Kids Club Discovery Park and Playground, providing children and adults with a safe place to play, learn, and grow.

Ukiah Daily Journal Staff
Updated:   05/15/2013 12:00:32 AM PDT
Article from http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/news/