1. Speculators that traded US$261 billion (S$352 billion) in Chinese commodities on Thursday last week are retreating as regulators prepare to step up control of the market, Bloomberg said.

2. US growth braked sharply to its slowest pace in two years as consumer spending softened and a strong dollar continued to undercut exports. GDP rose 0.5 per cent in the first quarter, Reuters reported, the slowest since the first quarter of 2014.

3. Cambridge Industrial Trust Management, the manager of Cambridge Industrial Trust, has launched $50 million of notes at a rate of 3.95 per cent per year, due in 2023. The funds will refinance existing borrowings.

4. Perennial Real Estate received strong demand for its four-year retail bonds with a fixed interest of 4.55 per cent per year. The total offer size was increased from $200 million to $280 million.

5. CapitaLand's The Ascott is buying a London property via its serviced residence fund with Qatar Investment Authority. Ascott will invest £52 million (S$102 million) in the 108-unit asset, to be named Citadines Islington London.