Rates Retake The Spotlight

U.S. equity markets pulled back from record highs this week as long-term Treasury yields remained elevated, with renewed fiscal concerns after federal debt crossed $40T. Oil prices extended their rebound as stalled Iran negotiations and severely depressed Strait of Hormuz tanker traffic kept geopolitical risk elevated, pushing WTI crude another 5% higher to nearly $87/barrel. Housing data remained soft as starts, pending sales, and builder sentiment stayed depressed amid mortgage rates near 6.7%, but weak construction continued to reinforce the underlying housing shortage.

Seeking Alpha • Aug 23, 2026

Winners Of REIT Earnings Season

REITs concluded a surprisingly strong earnings season, with 83 REITs - or 83% - raising full-year FFO guidance, just 4% lowering, and the average outlook increasing 1.4% from prior guidance. Strong Fundamentals, Weak Tape: REITs slipped modestly during earnings season despite widespread guidance raises, as renewed interest-rate pressure outweighed improving property-level trends and earnings momentum. Upside standouts included Hotel, Industrial, Data Center, Billboard, Office, Senior Housing/Skilled Nursing, and Single-Family Rental REITs, while Self-Storage finally showed a convincing pricing inflection.

Seeking Alpha • Aug 13, 2026

Hold On Multifamily REITs, But Not All Are Created Equal

Multifamily REITs face a challenging environment, with supply peaking in 2024 and oversupply pressuring lease rates until at least 2027. Private market distress and a looming $160B–$168 billion maturity wall in 2026–2027 may create future acquisition opportunities for REITs, especially the strongest players. Group valuations are tightly packed; balance sheets are generally safe, but risks from higher yields and private market volatility remain material.

Seeking Alpha • Aug 12, 2026

New Home Sales Unexpectedly Rise 1.6% in June

According to the Census Bureau, new home sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 628,000 in June. This represents a 1.6% increase from May's upwardly revised rate of 618,000 but a 5.6% drop from the previous year.

ETF Trends • Jul 24, 2026

The REIT Recovery Broadens Beyond Rates

As REIT earnings season kicks into gear this week, we preview results and major sector trends based on recent operating indicators, company commentary, and real estate market data. REITs enter earnings season with solid momentum, outperforming the market despite elevated Treasury yields and geopolitical volatility, as investors refocus on earnings growth, property fundamentals, dividends, M&A, and capital allocation. Encouraging green shoots have become more plentiful, including resilient hotel demand, robust senior housing growth, improving apartment and industrial fundamentals, and a rebound in retail leasing following a softer Q1.

Seeking Alpha • Jul 22, 2026

4 ETF Winners of June Likely to Gain in July

These ETF gainers of June may keep climbing in July as dovish Fed hopes, strong earnings and easing geopolitical risks support markets.

Zacks Investment Research • Jul 8, 2026

REZ: Trump's Delay On Housing Legislation Could Become A Headwind

iShares Residential and Multisector Real Estate ETF faces headwinds from persistent inflation and home affordability challenges, potentially limiting near- to medium-term upside. REZ's portfolio is concentrated in healthcare, self-storage, and residential REITs, with healthcare REITs comprising nearly 50%, offering some defensive characteristics. Persistent inflation, stalled housing legislation, and possible Fed rate hikes could pressure REZ and real estate broadly, especially if affordability issues worsen.

Seeking Alpha • Jun 26, 2026

New Home Sales Drop 7% in May

According to the Census Bureau, new home sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 580,000 in May. This represents a 7.3% decline from April's rate of 626,000 and an 6.8% drop from the previous year.

ETF Trends • Jun 24, 2026

U.S. Equity REIT Average Short Interest Edges Higher In May

The average short interest in US equity real estate investment trusts grew in May compared with the prior month. US equity REITs' average short interest rose 5 basis points from April to about 5.0% of shares outstanding in May, according to an S&P Global Market Intelligence analysis. Farmland REITs posted the largest month-over-month increase in average short interest in May, rising 89 basis points to 5.6% of shares outstanding.

Seeking Alpha • Jun 19, 2026

REITs: Cheap, Unloved, And Finally Showing Life

REITs have refused to break in 2026 despite oil-driven inflation pressure, rising Treasury yields, and a Fed narrative that flipped from multiple rate cuts to potential hikes. The “Rates Up, REITs Down” regime has weakened, with REIT-rate correlations falling sharply as fundamentals, strategy, capital allocation, and valuation catalysts increasingly drive performance. M&A has helped break the rate-driven narrative, validating public-market discounts to NAV and proving that REITs can unlock value through consolidation, privatizations, and strategic alternatives.

Seeking Alpha • Jun 18, 2026