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For the first time in almost a year, weekly U.S. revenue per available room declined as of April 4. But, an improving U.S. economy and low gas prices have boosted demand while new supply has stayed low in most markets, keeping lodging market fundamentals strong. Plus, interest rate survey results from Trepp.

Strong demand from technology, advertising, media, and information tenants, combined with limited new office supply, has allowed for healthy rent growth. The office sector’s 2.89 percent dividend yield is below average for equity REITs, but in the current low-interest-rate environment, it is attractive compared with other investment options. Plus, interest rate survey results from Trepp.

The real estate investment trust market in India took an important step forward when Finance Minister Arun Jaitley stated that India’s minimum alternative tax will apply to REITs only when an actual transfer of units occurs. The lack of clarity on whether REITs are subject to MAT, as well as to a dividend distribution tax, are two of the factors that have prevented formation. Plus, interest rate survey results from Trepp.

Strong growth in e-commerce is driving demand for industrial space. Real estate investment trusts like Prologis, whose $20.5 billion market cap represents 66 percent of the industrial REIT sector, are at the forefront of these changes. Plus, interest rate survey results from Trepp.

Several years into a growth economy, most housing markets are moving forward. The four publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITs) that were formed to acquire and rent distressed single-family homes are currently reporting short-term successes, with improved earnings and property values. However, each of the single-family residential REITs reported a net loss for the first quarter of the year.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) ended the year with a total return of 3.13 percent. Healthy demand for all types of space led to higher revenues and improved REIT profitability; rising property values created an attractive environment for sales. But high property valuations also made acquisitions difficult and left many REITs considering alternatives for expansion. Plus, interest rate survey data from Trepp.

The FTSE NAREIT All Equity REIT average made healthy gains last week, and total annual returns currently outpace the NASDAQ and Russell 200 Index. But the freestanding, net lease retail REIT sector is the only sector with positive returns this year. Five other REIT sectors stand out for year-to-date total returns that are only slightly negative. Plus, interest rate survey data from Trepp.

In its sixth-consecutive year of double-digit growth, U.S. e-commerce saw sales grow 14.6 percent to $341.7 billion during 2015, according to the U.S. Commerce Department, illustrating the growing importance of e-commerce behind new demand for warehouses. Plus, interest rate survey data from Trepp.

International economic forces have taken center stage this week, affecting both U.S. stock markets and real estate investment trusts. The crash in the Chinese stock market and ongoing concerns about the future of Greece in the Eurozone drove markets down during the first half of the week, with REITs faring better than the overall market. Plus, interest rate survey results from Trepp.

Macy’s and Best Buy have announced plans to open 300-square-foot (28 sq m) consumer electronics departments in ten Macy’s stores in early November. The announcement seems innocuous, since the store-within-a-store concept is not new, but it is important to these retailers, both of which have struggled as consumers increasingly shop online and at discount retailers.