RWX

U.S. equity markets finished flat this week as better-than-expected economic data and earnings results were offset by a continued fiscal stalemate and pressure on technology stocks amid a censorship controversy.The S&P 500 managed to eke out a 0.1% gain this week. The Nasdaq 100 ended the week on a four-day skid as Twitter and Facebook face Congressional subpoenas.Coming off its best two-week gain since April, a sharp sell-off among COVID-sensitive property sectors sent Equity REITs lower by 2.7% with 17 of 18 property sectors in negative territory.Retail sales were far stronger than expected in September, gaining for the fifth month in a row and setting new record highs. Retail sales are now higher by 5.4% from last year, led by the e-commerce and home improvement categories.While retail sales and housing data have exhibited continued strength, the employment recovery has shown signs of losing steam in recent weeks with Initial Jobless Claims coming in above estimates.

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U.S. equity markets delivered their strongest week in three months, driven by solid economic data and renewed hope for a compromise on the ever-elusive fiscal stimulus deal.Following gains of 1.6% last week, the S&P 500 surged 3.9% this week, climbing back within 3% of all-time highs. The gains were again led by Small-Cap and Mid-Cap stocks.Coming-off its best week since July, equity REITs finished higher by another 1.3% this week with 9 of 18 property sectors in positive territory. "Essential" property sectors again led the way.Rent Paid: The National Multifamily Housing Council’s Rent Payment Tracker found that rent collection is back in line with pre-pandemic levels despite the dire forecasts to the contrary.Return to Work: Continuing Jobless Claims decreased to 10.98 million, down exactly one million from last week. Since the peak in early May at around 25 million, Continuing Claims have retreated by 13.9 million.

U.S. equity markets snapped a four-week losing streak on a frenetic week of economic data and political developments that culminated with the hospitalization of the President of the United States.Throwing yet another curveball into the home stretch of a highly contentious U.S. election season, the shocking developments on Friday overshadowed a generally strong week of economic data.Beginning the week on the cusp of "correction territory," the S&P 500 gained 1.6% this week. The Small-Cap and Mid-Cap indexes, however, surged nearly 5% while tech stocks lagged.Real estate equities and other economically-sensitive equity sectors were also among the leaders this week, seemingly unfazed by the October surprise. REITs rallied more than 5%, the best week since July.Homebuilders also surged following another stellar slate of housing data, including record-setting Pending Home Sales and metrics showing robust mortgage demand for home purchases as the housing industry continues to lead the recovery.

U.S. equity markets finished broadly lower on another volatile week, pressured by "supreme uncertainty" amid a contentious U.S. election season and lingering coronavirus concerns as we enter the colder months.Declining for the fourth-straight week following a six-week winning streak, the S&P 500 dipped another 0.6% this week and is now roughly 8% below its all-time highs set last month.This "supreme uncertainty" weighed on real estate equities and other economically-sensitive sectors this week. Equity REITs finished lower by 3.1% this week with 17 of 18 property sectors in negative territory.New Home Sales topped estimates, surging 43% in August from last year to the highest annual rate since 2006, another sign that the housing industry continues to lead the economic recovery.While the housing industry rebound has shown continued resilience, there are signs that the rebound in labor markets may be losing some steam ahead of a critical week of employment data - the final jobs report before Election Day.

The weak trend in global trade and growth will not be enough to support risky assets such as equities in the coming months.The recent 10%+ consolidation in equities clearly shows how vulnerable is the market currently 'without' central banks and governments' help.Leading indicators such as South Korea exports not showing any sign of positive momentum for global equities in the near term.Global uncertainty and investors' fear will keep price volatility elevated for the rest of the year.

SPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF (RWX) - $0.2686.30-Day SEC Yield of 3.19% as of Sept. 18.Payable Sep 24; for shareholders of record Sep 22; ex-div Sep 21.

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