Cathay Financial Survey: 44% Expect Housing Prices to Rise Over 3% in Next 6 Months, Optimism Weakening
Cathay Financial's April survey shows 44% of Taiwanese anticipate housing prices will climb over 3% in the next half-year, though bullish sentiment is fading. Inflation fears have dampened overall economic optimism.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 20, 2026 at 10:15
- 🔍 Collected: April 20, 2026 at 10:31 (16 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 11:31 (1h 0m after Collected)
Central News Agency Flash
(CNA Reporter Su Ssu-yun, Taipei, 20th) Cathay Financial Holding released its April National Economic Confidence Survey today. The survey indicates that 44% of people expect the housing prices in their residential area to rise by more than 3% over the next 6 months, 35% expect them to remain within a plus or minus 3% range, and 20% believe prices will fall by more than 3%. Overall, the proportion of people bullish on housing prices over the next 6 months has shown signs of weakening compared to the past year.
Cathay Financial published the results of its April survey today. A current events question surveyed people on their views regarding housing price changes in their residential areas.
First, regarding the change in housing prices over the past 6 months, the survey showed that 44% of respondents felt prices had risen by over 3%, 38% felt they remained stable within a 3% range, and only 18% felt prices had dropped by over 3%.
Regarding the expected change in housing prices over the next 6 months, the survey noted that 44% of respondents expect a price increase of over 3%, with 9% of those expecting an increase of over 10%. Meanwhile, 35% expect prices to remain flat within a 3% range, and 20% believe prices will fall by more than 3%. Overall, the bullish sentiment has weakened over the past year.
The latest business indicator for February released by the National Development Council continued to flash a red light, reflecting steady economic growth. However, influenced by the US-Iran conflict lasting over a month, the Cathay Financial survey showed that the current economic optimism index and the forward-looking optimism index both declined, along with a drop in indices for large-ticket consumption and durable goods consumption willingness.
As the US-Iran conflict persists, oil prices remain high, driving concerns over rising inflation. Market sentiment has turned cautious, causing Taiwan stocks to fluctuate and fall in March. The survey indicated that the public's optimism index for Taiwan stocks fell to 17.2, and the risk appetite index weakened to 23.1.
On the macroeconomic front, the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) estimated on February 13 that Taiwan's economic growth rate for 2026 would be 7.71%, with an inflation rate of 1.68%. The survey showed that only 37% of respondents expect the 2026 economic growth rate to exceed 7%, while 60% expect inflation to exceed 2%. Compared to the DGBAS, the public's estimate for economic growth this year leans slightly conservative, while inflation expectations remain higher.
The Cathay Financial April National Economic Confidence Survey was conducted from April 1st to 7th via email questionnaires sent to Cathay Life Insurance official website members and Cathay United Bank customers, collecting a total of 13,242 valid responses. (Editor: Chang Chun-mao) 1150420
(CNA Reporter Su Ssu-yun, Taipei, 20th) Cathay Financial Holding released its April National Economic Confidence Survey today. The survey indicates that 44% of people expect the housing prices in their residential area to rise by more than 3% over the next 6 months, 35% expect them to remain within a plus or minus 3% range, and 20% believe prices will fall by more than 3%. Overall, the proportion of people bullish on housing prices over the next 6 months has shown signs of weakening compared to the past year.
Cathay Financial published the results of its April survey today. A current events question surveyed people on their views regarding housing price changes in their residential areas.
First, regarding the change in housing prices over the past 6 months, the survey showed that 44% of respondents felt prices had risen by over 3%, 38% felt they remained stable within a 3% range, and only 18% felt prices had dropped by over 3%.
Regarding the expected change in housing prices over the next 6 months, the survey noted that 44% of respondents expect a price increase of over 3%, with 9% of those expecting an increase of over 10%. Meanwhile, 35% expect prices to remain flat within a 3% range, and 20% believe prices will fall by more than 3%. Overall, the bullish sentiment has weakened over the past year.
The latest business indicator for February released by the National Development Council continued to flash a red light, reflecting steady economic growth. However, influenced by the US-Iran conflict lasting over a month, the Cathay Financial survey showed that the current economic optimism index and the forward-looking optimism index both declined, along with a drop in indices for large-ticket consumption and durable goods consumption willingness.
As the US-Iran conflict persists, oil prices remain high, driving concerns over rising inflation. Market sentiment has turned cautious, causing Taiwan stocks to fluctuate and fall in March. The survey indicated that the public's optimism index for Taiwan stocks fell to 17.2, and the risk appetite index weakened to 23.1.
On the macroeconomic front, the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) estimated on February 13 that Taiwan's economic growth rate for 2026 would be 7.71%, with an inflation rate of 1.68%. The survey showed that only 37% of respondents expect the 2026 economic growth rate to exceed 7%, while 60% expect inflation to exceed 2%. Compared to the DGBAS, the public's estimate for economic growth this year leans slightly conservative, while inflation expectations remain higher.
The Cathay Financial April National Economic Confidence Survey was conducted from April 1st to 7th via email questionnaires sent to Cathay Life Insurance official website members and Cathay United Bank customers, collecting a total of 13,242 valid responses. (Editor: Chang Chun-mao) 1150420