If you’re pondering the allure of real estate investment trusts (REITs) these days, consider two attributes of late: strong performance vs. the US stock market and relatively high yields over Treasuries. As winning combinations go among asset classes at the moment, US REITs cast an attractive profile.
Continue reading →

● US factory orders unexpectedly drop for 2nd straight month | LA Times
Orders for durable goods, a key indicator of manufacturing activity, unexpectedly dropped in September for the second straight month in a potentially troubling sign for the U.S. economy.
● Wall Street eyes Fed’s next move as QE winds down | USA Today
Quantitative easing, the policy experiment the Federal Reserve hatched during the financial crisis, is expected to be phased out by the Fed Wednesday when it concludes its two-day meeting.
● Consumer confidence jumps in October | Reuters
US consumer confidence rose in October to its highest level since October 2007 as views on the job market improved, according to a private sector report released on Tuesday.
● World Bank: China Needs Reform, Not Growth Targets | AP
China’s growth could decline to close to 7 percent next year but Beijing should focus on overhauling its economy instead of trying to stick to official growth targets, the World Bank said Wednesday.
● US home-price growth continues to slow | HousingWire
Home-price growth continues to slow, according to the latest S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices for August 2014.
● The narrowing of global imbalances | VOX
Global current-account imbalances narrowed substantially over the past eight years. As a result, the systemic risks associated with these imbalances have decreased.