The week in numbers to August 1
The big and small numbers that grabbed attention - or should have - in the business world over the past week.
Monday:
$1.14 billion - National Australia Bank has sold a slice of its British commercial real estate loans portfolio for STG625 million ($A1.14 billion). NAB said the portfolio of non-performing loans, which are either in default or near maturity, was sold to an affiliate of US-based private equity firm Cerberus Global Investors.
Tuesday:
11.5 per cent - QBE boss John Neal insists the insurer remains on the mend, despite disappointing investors with yet another profit downgrade. Investors disagree, stripping more than 11 per cent off the company's share price by 1.30pm, down $1.34 to $10.55.
Wednesday:
20 points - The wind down of the mining investment boom is hurting Western Australia's commercial property market. Conditions in the office, shops and factories property markets were weaker in the June quarter, according to the NAB Commercial Property index. The overall index was down six points but in Western Australia, it was down 20 points.
Thursday:
$1.3 billion - A US judge has imposed a $1.3 billion civil penalty against Bank of America for its role in selling risky mortgages to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that were advertised as safe investments. The fine was against Countrywide Financial, which Bank of America purchased in 2008 as the financial crisis was unfolding.
Friday:
25 per cent - Sydney home prices have risen almost 25 per cent in the last two years but growth is now beginning to ease to more sustainable levels.
Capital city home prices have risen 10.2 per cent in the 12 months to July, according to the RP Data-Rismark home value index for July.
