Episode 275: REIT Recovery From the Worst of the Pandemic Underway, Nareit T-Tracker Shows

Nareit’s T-Tracker fourth quarter 2020 data indicate that the REIT industry is recovering from its weakest levels seen during the pandemic.

Speaking on the REIT Report, Nareit Senior Economist Calvin Schnure said the REIT industry is “showing a good continuing recovery, not a complete recovery, but a recovery from the worst part of the pandemic a year ago.”

According to the T-Tracker, funds from operations (FFO) of all equity REITs gained 11.3% in the fourth quarter from the third quarter, which itself was 10.3% higher than the second quarter. The recovery is not uniform, Schnure pointed out. Earnings for sectors at the front line of the shutdown, such as lodging and retail, continue to be quite weak. Other sectors have benefitted, namely those that support the digital economy, as well as industrial.