The outlook for the commercial real estate market has improved in 2024. Economic growth ticked up in early 2024 and although projections have been adjusted downwards during the second half of the year, the faster than expected reduction in inflation has had a positive effect on investor interest. Global central banks began to unwind their monetary policy tightening, beginning with the ECB in June, the Bank of England in August, and the US Federal Reserve in September.
U.S. small-cap indices have pulled ahead of large-cap indices over the past three to six months, and through the first half of 2025, we anticipate further catch-up in both stock prices and, for higher-quality small caps, earnings growth. We believe government spending, tax cuts, trade realignments, deregulation and conducive industrial policies will boost US smaller businesses.