Market Uncertainty and Investment Opportunities: Insights from Jim Costello

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This week we have a special extended Market Update on the Peachtree Point of View podcast. CEO Greg Friedman and SVP Daniel Savage welcomed Jim Costello, Chief Economist and Head of Real Estate Economics at MSCI Real Assets, for a candid discussion about the current commercial real estate landscape. As stakeholders navigate through a period of significant economic uncertainty and policy shifts, Costello offered valuable insights for investors seeking to understand where opportunities might emerge in this volatile environment.

The conversation highlighted how recent economic turmoil has dramatically shifted market expectations. After many investors had been playing the "stay alive until 2025" game, holding on through interest rate shocks in hopes of eventual stabilization, recent policy shifts and uncertainty have "pulled the rug out from under" many market participants.

Key Takeaways for Investors:

  • The end of capital market tailwinds: For decades (1985-2020), falling interest rates provided commercial real estate investors with built-in advantages through cap rate compression. Costello warns this era is likely over, shifting the focus to operational expertise: "The number one thing is going to be managing your properties effectively moving forward."
  • Credit over equity may be the play: In this transitional market, debt investments are currently out performing equity positions on a risk-adjusted basis. Costello notes this creates opportunities for established private credit providers with proper infrastructure and experience over "debt tourists" entering the space     opportunistically.
  • Focus on local fundamentals: Rather than making broad sector-based allocations, Costello suggests investing in markets with strong demographic trends and knowledge-economy foundations. "It's the local fundamentals that matter more. It's about being in a market that has healthy demographics or some other type of growth."
  • Opportunity in uncertainty: Despite potential recession risks, Costello remains optimistic about opportunities, particularly in distressed debt and turn around/special situations: "There's always money to be made in a down market... There's always opportunities for folks who can come in and clean up problems."
  • Corporate bond rates as early indicators: Investors should watch corporate bond rates as leading indicators for cap rate movements, with recent spreads     widening by approximately 40-50 basis points, potentially foreshadowing similar increases in real estate cap rates.

This Market Update discussion sheds light on how investment strategies need to evolve in response to new economic reality. Commercial real estate is transitioning from an era of "financial engineering" to one focused on operational excellence and local market knowledge.

Want more insights to guide your investment decisions? Listen to the full episode of Peachtree Point of View podcast for Jim Costello's complete analysis on market trends, interest rate predictions and specific markets to watch. Follow Peachtree Point of View on your favorite podcast platform to stay informed about commercial real estate opportunities in this rapidly changing landscape.

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Avoid Political Noise When Investing: A Market Update with Larry Adam, Raymond James

Peachtree Group hosted Larry Adam the Chief Investment Officer of Raymond James for a recent Market Call. Larry talked about the importance of staying invested throughout political cycles like the upcoming US Presidential election.

In our recent market update call, we hear insights from Larry Adam the Chief Investment Officer of Raymond James, alongside Greg Friedman, Managing Principal & CEO of Peachtree Group and Daniel Savage, VP Equity Capital Markets of Peachtree Group. One of the standout moments from the discussion was an intriguing investment takeaway that highlights the importance of consistent investing over trying to time the market based on political cycles.

Investment Insights Through the Decades

Consider this: if you had invested $10,000 in the stock market starting in 1970 and only remained invested during Republican presidencies, your investment would have grown to approximately $133,000 by now. Conversely, if you had only stayed invested during Democratic presidencies, your portfolio would have soared to around $700,000.

Now, here’s where the numbers become even more compelling. If you had stayed fully invested in the market, regardless of which party was in power, that initial $10,000 would have appreciated to an impressive $1.6 million!

The Lesson: Stay the Course

Timing the market based on political affiliation has proven to be less effective than maintaining a consistent investment strategy. As Larry Adam pointed out, It's more important to be in the market than trying to find the market. I think that's a critical lesson…”

The volatility that comes with political changes can tempt investors to pull back or make hasty decisions. However, history shows that those who remain patient and invested through all market conditions tend to reap the greatest rewards.

The key is to be in the market, not trying to outsmart it.
Slide Provided by Raymond James

About Larry Adam

Larry Adam joined Raymond James in 2018 as Chief Investment Officer. With over thirty years of experience in the financial markets, Mr. Adam brings a wealth of knowledge and valuable insights on the markets and economy to advisors and clients. As CIO, Mr. Adam develops the firm’s CIO view, a cohesive and comprehensive macro outlook, using insights and perspectives from the firm’s strategists. Mr. Adam presents at numerous client events and is renowned for his ability to explain complex concepts to investors.

Mr. Adam provides advisors and clients with in-depth guidance regarding the markets, including weekly and monthly commentary and quarterly outlooks. In addition to serving as President of the Investment Strategy Committee, he also sits on the Global Wealth Solutions (GWS) Diversity & Inclusion Campus Recruitment Committee, the GWS Executive Council, and the Alternative and Structured Investments Product Approval Committee.

Prior to joining Raymond James, Mr. Adam held the dual roles of CIO of the Americas and Global Chief Investment Strategist for Deutsche Bank Private Wealth Management. He received a B.B.A. with a concentration in finance from Loyola University Maryland in 1991 and received a master’s degree in business with a concentration in finance from Loyola University Maryland in 1993. Mr. Adam is an adjunct professor at the Sellinger School of Business and Management at Loyola University, teaching classes in International Finance. He received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1996, the Certified Investment Management® certification in 2001 and the Certified Financial Planner® designation in 2004. Mr. Adam is regularly featured on CNBC and Bloomberg and is frequently quoted in well-known publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Barron’s.

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Barron's: The Fed’s Rate Cuts Won’t Save Commercial Real Estate

Peachtree CEO Greg Friedman explores the challenges facing the commercial real estate industry in light of the Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cuts.

Peachtree Group CEO Greg Friedman penned a recent article for Barron's - "Soft Landing Means a Hard Fall for Commercial Real Estate."

In the article he explores the challenges facing the commercial real estate industry in light of the Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cuts. With $1.5 trillion in CRE loans set to mature and refinancing becoming more expensive, Greg outlines strategic opportunities for investors, including capital-stack repositioning, private credit solutions, and distressed asset acquisitions.

As the market adjusts to higher borrowing costs, this is a must-read for anyone looking to stay ahead in commercial real estate. Click here to read the full article in Barron's.