Although cracks appear, the labor market holds on
Unemployment rate remains unchanged at 4.2%
May’s monthly employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics confirmed that the American job market is softer than it appears. But it’s likely not soft enough to move the Fe...
Medical office space tighter than ever in Charlotte
Population and hospital system growth drive demand for healthcare space
After five challenging years following the onset of the pandemic, optimism is slowly returning to the Charlotte, North Carolina, office market, as leasing picks up and the availabi...
Tracking the turnaround: Where multifamily momentum is surging in the US
New CoStar index reveals top apartment markets making biggest strides in rent growth, occupancy, demand
Though some U.S. multifamily markets still face challenges from elevated supply pipelines and rising costs, the sector as a whole is finding a new equilibrium in mid-2025, with imp...
Consumers hold on as market volatility and trade policies rattle confidence
Next employment report could be telling
The American consumer remains healthy but hesitant heading into the summer.
Uncertainty and credit concerns slow consumer spending
American consumers show caution as tariff talk heats up
American consumers are hunkering down, a slew of data releases showed last week.
Job growth is boosting office demand in Charlotte
Larger leases, increased hiring help stabilize market
Charlotte, North Carolina's office market appears to be on the upswing, with a hiring recovery in key office-using job sectors driving larger office leases and an overall increase ...
The job market holds up — for now
Hiring surpasses expectations as signs of softening emerge
The American job market surpassed expectations in April, sending stocks soaring while pushing economists’ expectations for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts later into the year.
Forecasters stay nimble as policies wobble
Policy uncertainty continues to weigh on business investment and new hiring
Forecasting the economy's path has become increasingly challenging as the new administration’s policy announcements fluctuate. Economists have been digesting the news as it unfolds...
Factories pause after blistering construction spending
Manufacturers worry tariffs could bring price increases
As uncertainty about tariffs and trade policy continues to percolate, many are watching the current health and prospects of America’s manufacturing industry.
These two North Carolina cities lead the country in apartment demand as a share of inventory
Population, job growth drive renters in Raleigh, Charlotte
High vacancy rates and intense supply pressure have driven the narrative of several Southeastern and Sun Belt apartment markets over the past two years. However, as a record constr...
Big leases trigger Charlotte's first industrial availability decline in over two years
Deals by Pratt Industries, Carolina Beverage Group lead to tighter market in first quarter
Charlotte, North Carolina's industrial availability rate declined for the first time in over two years following an increase in leasing from large-box tenants.
Cooling inflation offers cold comfort for uncertain consumers
Many bet the good news won't last
While backward-looking data released last week showed substantial progress in the battle to contain inflation, consumers and investors alike are betting it won’t last.
Uncertainty about tariff policies overshadows strong jobs, auto sales numbers
Sentiment sours as businesses and consumers brace for fallout
With far-reaching tariffs rolling out and additional levies being announced unpredictably, American businesses and consumers are bracing for impact. The broad-based equity market s...
Charlotte apartment rent growth inches closer to recovery
Asking rents flat to finish first quarter
Asking apartment rents in Charlotte are entering the second quarter at their most stable in nearly two years.
Sun Belt markets gained the most jobs after the pandemic. Now, that's changing.
Employment growth is more distributed these days
The five years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic disruption intensified the southward and westward movement of the United States labor market. Over t...
Raleigh and Charlotte remain among fastest-growing large markets in US
Migration fuels population growth in North Carolina’s two largest cities
North Carolina’s two largest markets are growing rapidly, with both Raleigh and Charlotte ranking in the top 10 for population growth among large markets in the United States, acco...
Import and export costs rise as tariffs loom
Consumers, small businesses fret about possible trade war
With more details on the Trump administration’s tariff policies set to be released on April 2, increasing attention has turned to their potential impact on consumer prices.
Uncertain consumers stick to spending on the basics
Worries grow over the direction of the economy
American consumers are becoming more cautious, judging from the latest sales data.
Commercial real estate sales are picking up in Charlotte
Uptick driven in part by buyers and sellers reaching price consensus
Following a sharp decline in 2023, commercial real estate sales rebounded in Charlotte, North Carolina, last year thanks to a combination of pricing capitulation from sellers, time...
Soft jobs report matches nervous vibes
Unemployment ticks up as investor, consumer sentiment wanes
With the major stock market indices giving up most of their early-year gains, investor and consumer sentiment has taken a hit as of early March. And as the February releases contin...