Dees Stribling
Economy Watch: Immigration Policy Changes’ Impact on CRE
Limiting the number of immigrants to the U.S. would exacerbate the labor shortages that several real estate-related fields are already facing, according to a recent Cushman & Wakefield study.
Economy Watch: Fed to Begin Divesting Balance Sheet
The Federal Reserve will start reducing its $4.5 trillion in holdings next month, including $1.8 billion in mortgage-backed securities.
Economy Watch: Consumers Unnerved by Recent Storms
Consumers responding to the University of Michigan’s latest survey expressed concerns that Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma would negatively impact the overall economy, leading to a drop in the Sentiment Index in August.
Economy Watch: Recent Hurricanes Impact Hospitality Industry
Most major hotel markets in Florida saw dramatic performance declines in the days leading up to Hurricane Irma, according to STR’s preliminary analysis. Hurricane Harvey’s impact on Houston’s hotel markets is a little less clear.
Economy Watch: Employment Stable in Most States
Unemployment rates were higher in August in only eight states, lower in one state, and stable in 41 states and D.C., according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics latest jobs report.
Economy Watch: Retail Sales Dip in August
Despite a decline in sales for the month, most categories of retailers are enjoying higher sales in 2017 than last year, according to the Census Bureau’s latest report.
Economy Watch: Construction Material Prices Still on the Rise
Demand for construction materials remains high in the U.S., with positive wealth expectations creating confidence in real estate developers, according to a recent Associated Builders and Contractors report.
Economy Watch: Nonresidential Building Planning Dips in August
Dodge Data & Analytics reported that the decline was due to an 8.7 percent drop in the commercial component of the Dodge Momentum Index, bringing planning activity to a more sustainable pace.
Economy Watch: Report Suggests Malls Need a New Tenant Mix
While department stores and apparel retailers occupy the most space in U.S. malls, they also posted relatively tepid sales growth in recent years, notes a new CBRE report.
Economy Watch: Economic Damage of Irma Could Hit $40B
AIR Worldwide estimates the damage caused by Hurricane Irma could be between $15 billion and $50 billion, but a great deal of uncertainty remains.