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Goldman lifts US forecast on Biden’s US$1.9 trillion rescue plan

NEW YORK (BLOOMBERG) - Goldman Sachs Group economists raised their growth forecasts for the US this year and beyond after President-elect Joe Biden unveiled a sweeping revival plan calling for US$1.9 trillion (S$2.5 trillion) in spending. In a weekend report to clients, economists led by Jan Hatzius predicted the economy would expand 6.6 per cent this year, faster than the 6.4 per cent previously expected. The unemployment rate for the end of 2021 is now seen at 4.5 per cent, down from the prior estimate of 4.8 per cent. The upgrade is fueled by expectation that Mr Biden, aided by a Democratic-controlled Congress, will deliver ample amounts of state fiscal aid, education and public health spending, as well as unemployment insurance benefits, to counter harm from a pandemic now in its most devastating stage to date. Goldman's estimate for 2021 economic growth is the second highest in a Bloomberg survey of 84 economists; the median estimate is 4.1 per cent. While the economists don't expect all parts of Mr Biden's proposal to pass, they predict that an additional US$1,400 in individual stimulus payments will cause a "large spike" in disposable income in the first three months. On Thu...

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HDB launches flat portal; includes new flat listings, financial calculators and loans information

SINGAPORE - Those hunting for a new home can now get pricing and loan information of Housing Board (HDB) flats on a new platform which aims to streamline the process of buying and selling a place. The portal, which is being progressively rolled out from Wednesday (Jan 13), consolidates information on current and upcoming flats sold directly by the HDB, said National Development Minister Desmond Lee in a Facebook post. He added that it may include HDB resale flat listings in subsequent phases. The portal includes customised financial calculators as well as information on housing loans provided by the HDB and various participating banks. Buyers can use the calculators to estimate their housing budget, to help them compare their housing options, said Mr Lee. Those planning to sell their flats for now can tap the calculators to estimate their sales proceeds, which also take into account monies which have to be returned to their Central Provident Fund. They will also be able to view past transactions around their estate. "This new portal will make it more convenient for home buyers and sellers to gather information on the purchase or sale of a flat through a single integrated platform,"...