Signs that economy is stabilising – Posted by Prieur du Plessis – … After having languished below 50 since the spring of 2007, the (Goldman Sachs) Diffusion Index increased above 50 in February and March (March doesn’t yet contain all 34 indicators, though). Any reading between 0 and 50 indicates the data are deteriorating, whereas above 50 implies improvement. … – Investment Postcards from Cape Town

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U.S. foreclosure filings jump as moratoriums end – U.S. foreclosure activity leaped 46 percent in March from a year earlier, hitting a record high as programs stunting the torrid pace of failing mortgages expired, RealtyTrac reported on Thursday.  A temporary freeze on foreclosures by major banks and government-controlled home finance companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac ended before President Barack Obama’s massive housing stimulus, unveiled on March 6, could take root. – By Lynn Adle – Reuters

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PERSON OF THE WEEK: DAVID BERSON ON THE STATE OF THE HOUSING MARKET – So, when exactly is the housing market going to hit bottom – and what happens after that “thud” occurs? … The most important thing to note with regard to house prices is that they will differ across the country, so a national average forecast will hide significant regional variation…. national house prices are projected to continue falling through 2009 and into early 2010. … – BY PHIL HALL – MortgageOrb