Gina Szymanski, chief investment officer at AEW Capital Management’s global securities business, joined the latest episode of the REIT Report to share her insights into the year ahead. She noted that REITs are facing a favorable macroeconomic backdrop marked by good demand, moderating supply, and stable interest rates.
“The setup for us is great. and I would highly recommend the average investor take a look at REITs,” Szymanski said. “We're experiencing some of the best growth that we've ever experienced,” she added.
For the most part, the sectors that AEW has been overweight in are still favorites, Szymanski said. Number one on that list is senior housing, where AEW has been overweight across the globe. Data centers are in second place, followed by retail. Industrial remains “on the margin,” she added.
Turning to M&A, Szymanski said activity is stemming from the large discrepancy between public and private real estate valuations. “We’re seeing a lot more interest in public REITs from private players. Even those who have historically not played in the public REIT space are starting to brainstorm ways to get involved,” she noted.