Moody's cuts China property outlook

AGAINST a backdrop of Chinese developers turning to Singapore to raise funds through bonds, Moody's has revised its outlook for China's property industry to "negative" from "stable".

The revised outlook reflects the credit rating agency's expectations for the fundamental business conditions in the industry over the next 12 months. Moody's sees a significant slowdown in residential property sales growth, high inventory levels and weakening liquidity over the coming 12 months.

"We expect modest 0-5 per cent year-over-year growth (on a 12-month trailing basis) over the next 12 months. This growth rate is materially lower than the 26.6 per cent year-on-year rise in nationwide cumulative contracted sales in full year 2013," said Franco Leung, a Moody's assistant vice-president and analyst.