Data center vacancy rates were sitting at just 2.3% at the end of the second quarter, despite inventory increasing to 15.5 GW, according to JLL's North America data center report. The market is absorbing demand from AI as well as cloud providers and tech companies. Looking ahead, power needs and other factors could affect development decisions.

Some options traders are positioning themselves for the Federal Reserve to reduce interest rates by more than a quarter of a point in September, despite a recent report showing that the producer price index increased by the most in three years in July. The bet on a larger rate cut comes as investors look ahead to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's speech at the Jackson Hole symposium.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that revenues from tariff policies are expected to surpass his earlier projection of $300 billion. The money will be used to reduce federal debt.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the current US-China trade truce as "working pretty well," a comment that came about a week after the Trump administration extended a pause on higher rates. "We have had very good talks with China. I imagine we'll be seeing them again before November," Bessent said.

Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman has emphasized the need for regulators and banks to recognize the importance of technologies such as AI and cryptocurrency to maintain the banking system's relevance. "Change is coming," Bowman said, who is the top bank watchdog at the Fed.

Sixth Street has made an unsolicited offer to take Plymouth Industrial REIT private for $24.10 per share. The deal would put the REIT's market value at more than $1 billion. Plymouth indicated that its board will evaluate the offer.

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage edged upward to 6.68% last week, and total application volume declined 1.4%, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Applications for mortgages to purchase a home gained 0.1%.

Foulger Pratt is acquiring a $447 million portfolio of four apartment buildings, with a total of 1,248 units, in Washington, D.C. from AvalonBay Communities. Three of the acquisitions have already closed, with the fourth expected soon.

Investors are assessing the impact of multiple trends on the rental market, including the role that immigration plays in demand. Chris Nebenzahl of John Burns Research and Consulting notes that retention among current renters is strong. "We've seen retention reach record highs from the REITs," Nebenzahl says.

Companies are using technology such as satellites, AI and drones to detect wildfire risk and hurricane vulnerabilities. For example, Site Technologies uses drones to survey properties. "When you have hundreds or thousands of properties, it was never really a viable option to be able to get a snapshot, on an annual basis, of your facilities until technology like this," said Aust