VPN - Beyond The Pandemic

• U.S. equity markets finished higher for a second-straight week as relatively solid employment data and strong corporate earnings results- with some exceptions- eased jitters over rising rates and slowing economic growth.
• Gaining ground in four-of-five trading sessions after dipping into "correction territory" last week, the S&P 500 finished higher by 1.5% on the week and is back within 6% of all-time.
• Real estate equities were mixed as stellar earnings from residential REITs offset weakness from healthcare, retail, and technology REITs. The Equity REIT Index gained 0.1% while mortgage REITs advanced 1.7%.
• Strong reports from apartment REITs and homebuilders were highlights of the first full week of REIT earnings season. Four more REITs boosted their dividends, bringing the total up to 11 so far in 2022.
• Despite record levels of COVID cases and deaths in January, the U.S. economy still added 467k as major economies across the globe appear to finally be moving beyond the two-year-long-pandemic.

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