CRE Enthusiasm High, Will Bond Market Cooperate?

In a week that was chock full of economic data for investors to digest, there was no lack of market news for Martha Coacher, Manus Clancy, and Dianne Crocker to consider as a bond rout took hold, and wildfires continued to burn out of control in the Los Angeles area leaving a path of devastation. With the holidays firmly in the rear-view mirror, the team takes a spin through the spirit of the U.S. economy’s past, present, and future, starting with December’s  40-basis point rise in 10-year Treasury yields, to current concerns about inflationary pressure. But there is more to come in 2025, so questions remain on how the new administration’s proposed tariffs and spending cuts could shape interest rates and CRE. Professor Manus walks through how to read the latest news on CMBS data and Dianne takes us through the LightBox CRE Activity Index. The Index dropped to 56.8 in December—a steeper-than-average 23-point decline that flies in the face of fresh optimism in the CRE market, offering a hopeful perspective on the opportunities and resilience driving the industry forward.

Have question for the pod team? Send them to podcast@lightboxre.com.

01:57 Economic Overview and Recent Events 

04:48 Interest Rates and Inflation Concerns 

09:34 Market Sentiment and CRE Enthusiasm 

11:26 Lightbox CRE Activity Index Analysis 

18:30 Who's Bullish on Office? 

21:13 Manus Does a CMBS Dive 

25:07 Leasing Trends and Notable Deals 

36:08 Multifamily Market Activity and Insights 

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