Over the last year only, foreigners purchased a record number of residential locations across the United States. This widely spread phenomenon seems strange in the current political context. There are chances of an immigration crackdown that could depart the new owners from their investments.

Canadians Were the Foreign Investors with the Largest Increase in Investments in U.S. Real Estate

On Tuesday, the National Assn. of Realtors made public some surprising facts about the situation of the U.S. real estate industry. There were 284,455 properties in the last 12 months up until March 31 that entered the possession of foreign investors. By comparison, last year the numbers showed a third less activity. At the same time, the dollar volume skyrocketed 50% to $153 billion. This marked a second record since this survey began back in 2009.

The largest national pool of buyers came from China that ordered $31.7 billion worth of real estate. The previous year, their activity brought in only $27.3 billion. On the other hand, Canadians are the group responsible for the largest increase in such U.S. investments. This country experienced a surge in prices over recent years which the Chinese investment induced.

As a consequence, this year Canadians bought $19 billion worth of properties. This is twice as much as last year. Record price surges affected mostly two big cities in Canada, namely Toronto and Vancouver.

Foreigners Still Believe in a Safe America Despite the Possibility of an Immigration Crackdown

Therefore, the government imposed property taxes intended only for foreign investors. Consequently, buyers started cashing out and redirect their funds towards smaller properties in Canada plus additional vacation houses in the United States. Real estate agent in Toronto, Elli Davis, believes that this is the explanation to why Canadians are turning to America, despite risks of an immigration crackdown.

Realtors’ chief economist, Lawrence Yun, claimed that foreigners still believe in the safe and secure side of America, despite current President’s rhetoric against immigrants. On top of that, investors all over the world wanted to join the American market now when the dollar is incrementally increasing in value. They believe that at some point in the near future, their currencies won’t be able to face anymore the American buck.

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Apple has just finished the first version of a beta testing concept for its brand new iMac and MacBook operating system. MacOS High Sierra was first announced on June 5 at the Worldwide Developers Conference. The first public beta was launched at the same time with the second developer beta. Therefore, the new beta software is now available for non-developers to upgrade their devices and test away the new mega update.

Being Only a New Beta Software, It Is Recommended to Install the Update on a Secondary Gadget for Testing

On June 29, Apple opened macOS High Sierra for testing for the very first time for both users and developers. However, those who wish to take part in this preliminary session should sign up for the beta testing program from Apple first. Once the papers are done, they can install the new content through the Software Update feature that can be found in Mac App Store.

Before transitioning the computer to the latest update, users should, however, perform a comprehensive backup. On top of that, people should spare their primary gadgets that they use every day from the new beta software. This is because, at this early stage in such a major project, there are a lot of bugs and the system is unstable.

Apple Made Sure Their Products Will Be Updated to Latest Tech Trends

With this clean sleight on their hands, Apple developers made sure that MacOS High Sierra accommodates all modern trends. Therefore, the centerpiece is support for High Efficiency Video Coding best known as HEVC. This enhancement can compress with 40% more efficiency which can streamline the latest interests in 4K streaming and 4K videos.

There are lots of other improvements under the hood. For instance, Siri got an upgrade too. She or he will have a more natural voice. This will make it easier to interact with this piece of artificial intelligence.

All in all, the latest operating system coming from Apple is all about efficiency and performance. HEVC support together with new file system and enhanced Metal 2 graphics is just what creative professionals are looking for. This large community happens to be Apple’s target public.

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Chinese regulators started for a while now severe scrutinizes regarding the majority of business moguls in the country. Many CEOs are disappearing without notice just to return to work later as if nothing happened. This time, authorities turned to banks that have to deliver reports regarding last year’s unexpected spree of outbound takeovers. This investigation may bring a Chinese damaging business medium closer to its end.

President Xi Jinping Is Determined to Put a Stop on Chinese Damaging Business Medium

The China Banking Regulatory Commission has recently asked some banks to reveal details on their transactions regarding overseas loans. Some of the involved companies are Anbang Insurance Group Co, AC Milan, Fosun International Inc, Dalian Wanda Group Co, and HNA Group Co. These sudden inquiries appeared after an investigation into the chairman of Anbang was made public.

The President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, has shown through numerous decisions that he is determined to put an end on the damaging business medium. On top of that, there is a leadership reshuffle for later this year, which means that Jinping wants to see results of his projects faster than before. So far, the President ordered some restrictive capital controls. As a consequence, there were 56% fewer outbound takeovers than last year.

Lack of Transparency Among Chinese Companies Can Lead to Serious Negative Consequences

China is currently interested in persuading more foreign investors to join its markets. On top of that, authorities want to keep more assets internally. The country has just scored a new success as domestic stocks were allowed in MSCI’s benchmark emerging markets index. However, despite any piece of good news, the lack of market transparency and regulations in the country are damaging the business environment.

Therefore, regulators are inspecting how Chinese companies managed to close major deals overseas based only on borrowing money. Such activities can be extremely dangerous for the national economy. There are many sources of risks in these deals that can collapse an entire business. The International Monetary Fund described Chinese corporations as parties with no efficiency in their investments. Their financial performance is continuing its deficiency which puts great strain on banks.

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It was a difficult 2016 for businesses such as Buffalo Wild Wings in the food industry. The company had to resort to dozens of location shutdowns, while Ruby Tuesday is struggling to find new leadership. There are other players in the casual dining that are facing troubled times. This makes it clear that such restaurants are no longer having the necessary influence to lure in new customers. On the other hand, the CEO at Buffalo Wild Wings, Sally Smith, explained to shareholders that the lack of efficiency is due to changing tastes.

Buffalo Wild Wings Sees Millennials as Potential Customers with Changing Tastes

Over recent years, there have been a lot of changes within the market. Even though these are consumerism times, people are choosing their favorite brands through the way they decide to spend their financial resources. Therefore, the industries are already looking differently than before. Consumers are able to create a certain cultural background through their shopping sessions.

As a consequence, casual dining was left behind to the advantage of other food niches, such as food trucks. This branch developed in 2017 four times as more prosperous as it was back in 2012. Therefore, Sally Smith informed investors in her Buffalo Wind Wings company that the business decline is due to changing tastes.

Moreover, Sally Smith positioned millennials as the main cause of these hard times. To her view, the generation that is in power now would rather cook at home, order deliveries or appeal to fast service restaurants than go to casual dining restaurants.

Specialists Translate Industry Changes as a Compendium of More New Appealing Options

Nonetheless, there are many other factors that impacted this industry branch at such a high level. Victor Fernandez, an industry tracker at TDn2K, stated that the market had received many other options that align more or less with millennials’ needs.

One of the fiercest competitors to casual dining is the grocery chain. Thanks to their new technology and business strategies, supermarkets are offering consumers all they need to cook at home. This success consists of pick-up, delivery, discounts, competitive prices, and other perks that entice millennials.

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