Study Highlights Sustainability Benefits of Brick-and-Mortar Shopping

Brick-and-mortar shopping represents a better sustainability performance compared to online shopping, according to a new white paper released by Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG).

The study, conducted by Simon in conjunction with Deloitte Consulting, created a “cradle-to-grave” Lifecycle Analysis (LCA) that examines the environmental impact of all material, energy and fuels attributable to a product in its lifecycle.

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Quick Study: Investor Uncertainty Produces Quiet Month for REITs

In the latest edition of Quick Study, Brad Case, NAREIT’s senior vice president for research and industry information, a “fairly quiet” November for REITs and other asset classes.

The total returns of the FTSE/NAREIT All REIT Index fell 0.3 percent in November, while the S&P 500 Index gained 0.3 percent. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note was up 0.1 percent for the month. Case pointed out that mortgage REITs gained 1 percent for the month while producing strong dividend yields.

Brad Case

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American Campus Communities CEO Sees Growing Demand for Study Space

Bill Bayless, president and CEO of American Campus Communities, Inc. (NYSE: ACC), joined REIT.com for a CEO Spotlight video interview at REITWorld 2015: NAREIT’s Annual Convention for All Things REIT at the Wynn Las Vegas.

In August, American Campus celebrated its 100th student housing development with the construction of U Club Sunnyside, an off-campus community serving students attending West Virginia University (WVU). Bayless said the event had special significance for him because he graduated from WVU.

Bill Bayless

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Quick Study: REIT Gains Underscore Favorable Conditions

In the latest edition of Quick Study, Brad Case, NAREIT’s senior vice president for research and industry information, said REIT market gains in October provided some comfort to investors and showed that conditions are in place for continued growth.

The total returns of the FTSE/NAREIT All REIT Index rose 6.1 percent in October, while the S&P 500 Index gained 8.4 percent. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note was up 0.1 percent for the month. As of Oct. 30, REIT total returns were up 1.3 percent for the year, while the S&P 500 Index was up 2.7 percent.

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Quick Study: REITs Outpace Broader Market in September

In the latest edition of Quick Study, Brad Case, NAREIT’s senior vice president for research and industry information, discussed the recent outperformance of the REIT sector compared with the broader stock market.

The total returns of the FTSE/NAREIT All REIT Index rose 1.9 percent in September, while the S&P 500 Index lost 2.5 percent. Year-to-date, REIT returns are down 4.5 percent, while the S&P 500 Index is down 5.3 percent.

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Quick Study: REITs Follow Broader Markets Down in August

In the latest edition of Quick Study, Brad Case, NAREIT’s senior vice president for research and industry information, discussed the difficult market conditions that prevailed on U.S. REITs in August.

The total returns of the FTSE NAREIT All REITs Index dipped 5.7 percent during the month, while the S&P 500 Index lost 6.0 percent.

“August was a very difficult month for investors. There really wasn’t any safe place to be invested,” Case said.

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Limiting Like-Kind Exchanges Would Hurt Real Estate, Study Finds

Like-kind exchanges aid the commercial real estate sector by promoting increased investment, reducing holding periods and lowering leverage levels, according to an academic study released July 9.

Also known as 1031 exchanges after Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, like-kind exchanges allow individuals and businesses to defer the payment of taxes on gains made on the exchange of property held for investment or in a trade or business for “like-kind” property.

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REITs With Higher GRESB Scores Outperform Peers, Study Finds

A new report concludes that committing to sustainability pays off for REITs.

REITs with higher Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) scores outperform their peers in terms of returns, according to a study from the University of Cambridge. The study also showed that when adjusted for risk, there is a significant link between REITs’ portfolio sustainability indicators and their performances in the stock market.

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Quick Study: REITs Lose Ground in April

In the latest edition of Quick Study, Brad Case, NAREIT’s senior vice president for research and industry information, discussed a down month for REITs during April.

The total returns of the FTSE NAREIT All REITs Index dipped approximately 4.7 percent in April, following a gain of 1.2 percent the month before.

“It was a difficult month for REIT investors,” Case said, although he stressed that it wasn’t a good month for investors in any asset class.

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