The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the U.S. economy added 605,000 jobs during the first quarter of 2018 compared to 662,000 jobs during the fourth quarter of 2017. The economy created an average of 202,000 jobs over the past three months, above the 12-month average of 188,000. The unemployment rate held at 4.1% for the sixth consecutive month. Finance and professional & business services are the primary drivers of office space demand. The financial services sector added 35,000 jobs as compared to 26,000 in the fourth quarter of 2017, while the professional and business services sector added 126,000 jobs compared to 107,000 previously. According to data from CB Richard Ellis Econometric Advisors (“CBRE-EA”), increasing supply contributed to an increase in the national office vacancy rate to 13.3% in the first quarter, as compared to 13.0% in the fourth quarter. Vacancy rates declined in 20 of the 63 markets tracked by CBRE-EA. The national industrial availability rate ticked down to 7.3% in the first quarter, as compared to 7.4% in the fourth quarter. Overall, availability rates decreased in 31 of the 64 industrial markets tracked by CBRE-EA. Continuing strength in domestic economic fundamentals including a labor market that is close to capacity, modest wage gains that are expected to accelerate, and strong consumer activity suggest that the industrial sector still has ways to go in its growth cycle. The national apartment vacancy rate increased to 5.0% in first quarter 2018 from 4.9% in first quarter 2017. Of the 66 apartment markets tracked by CBRE-EA, data indicates that vacancy rates increased in 35 markets, and remained unchanged in three. Market conditions are expected to continue to soften as new supply delivers, however many markets have room to tighten. Generally, the U.S. economy continues to support strong rental demand and solid growth, but the evolving balance of supply and demand is likely to lead to further moderation in rent growth. Preliminary data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that retail sales excluding motor vehicles and parts increased 0.8% during first quarter 2018 as compared to fourth quarter 2017. Availability rates decreased to 9.4% for the first quarter as compared to 9.6% during fourth quarter. Boosted consumer spending would likely lead to higher retail space demand in the coming quarters. Note: Data subject to revision
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