BRMK - Dividend Boosts Lift REITs

• U.S. equity markets finished mostly lower this past week as partisan tensions raged on while economic data and corporate earnings reports indicated that the U.S. economy stumbled into the start of 2021.
• The S&P 500 retreated 1.5% while the tech-heavy Nasdaq dipped more than 2% amid pressure on social media stocks following the de-platforming of President Trump and conservative-leaning media outlets.
• A fresh wave of dividend increases powered real estate equities to a strong week. Equity REITs finished higher by nearly 2% with 13 of 19 property sectors in positive territory.
• Inflation expectations jumped to mid-pandemic highs with the 10-Year Breakeven rate closing at 2.10% despite cooler-than-expected inflation data this past week and downbeat employment and retail sales data.
• Is 2021 the year for real estate? Five equity REITs and one mortgage REIT boosted their dividend this past week. Homebuilder KB Home surged after reporting a stellar fourth quarter as the housing industry continues to lead the recovery.

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