INTEREST RATE DECISION The Federal Reserve cut rates by another 25 basis points in December, its third consecutive rate cut as policymakers move into a more accommodative monetary stance as inflation cools and labor market performance comes more into focus. The...

By Ardeshir Tabrizian Salem Reporter Wells Fargo Bank alerted the state on Tuesday, Dec. 3, that it will close its Salem corporate office and lay off 221 workers, one of the largest local business layoffs in recent Salem history. The company notified employees of...

BLACK FRIDAY ACTIVITY According to data from Mastercard’s SpendingPulse indicator, US Black Friday sales (excluding automotive sales) were up 3.4% this year compared to 2023. Online retail sales rose 14.6%, while brick-and-mortar stores rose by a more modest 0.7%...

2025 COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK According to Deloitte’s 2025 look-ahead, the current outlook for Commercial Real Estate is dominated by expectations surrounding global interest rates, renewed revenue sentiment, and the potential for industry-wide shifts in areas...

EMERGING TRENDS IN REAL ESTATE Investors and developers should expect an upturn in fate for the commercial real estate industry as postpandemic disruptions abate and positive cyclical forces reemerge, according to ULI-PwC’s Emerging Trends in Real Estate (ETRE) report...

ECONOMIC ACTIVITY REMAINS STEADY According to the October 23rd release of the Federal Reserve’s Beige Book Summary of National Economic Activity, activity has changed little in nearly all districts since early September, though two districts have reported modest...

FED INTEREST RATE CUT The Federal Reserve cut its primary policy interest rate by 50 basis points (bps) in September to a target range of 4.75%-5%, the first interest rate reduction since policymakers began their fight against post-pandemic inflation in March 2022....

CPI INFLATION According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.2% month-over-month (MoM) in August, repeating July’s pace and in line with the consensus forecasts that led up to the data release. The annual CPI measure...

FED POISED TO PIVOT The FOMC is poised to cut interest rates in September for the first time in over two and a half years, evidenced by recent statements from Fed Chair Jerome Powell and a 100% consensus forecast that has formed in futures markets. During a speech at...