The Weekly Take from CBRE New Day: The U.S. economy and real estate in 2026 with PwC
Jan 20, 2026
Karl Russo, Principal at PwC with a rich background in economic policy, and Henry Chin, CBRE's Global Head of Research, dive into the 2026 U.S. economic landscape. They discuss the resilience of the U.S. economy despite concerns and how companies are adapting to AI and workforce changes. Industrial growth in secondary markets is driven by reshoring and infrastructure. The discussion also highlights the booming demand for data centers amidst supply challenges and offers insights into emerging real estate trends and strategies for investment.
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Resilient But Slower Growth
- The U.S. economy will likely grow below historical trend but remain resilient to large shocks.
- Short-term boosts (e.g., policy, refunds, delayed spending) may create temporary surges in 2026.
AI As A Productivity Upside
- AI and technology investments could lift labor productivity and push growth above 2%.
- Productivity gains are a key upside risk if firms capture AI benefits in the private sector.
Rely On Proprietary Signals
- Use proprietary leasing and capital markets data as leading indicators for decisions.
- Track NDA activity, bid spreads, site visits, and originations to forecast demand and rents.