DeepSeek Disruption, CRE Market Sentiment, and Retail & Office Trends

The last week of January delivered a mixed bag for the markets—the Federal Reserve kept rates unchanged, a fresh GDP print showed slower-than-expected growth, but most notably AI upstart DeepSeek sent shockwaves through the tech market with its launch. In this episode, Martha Coacher, Dianne Crocker, and Manus Clancy dig into the AI disruptor’s Sputnik moment and its potential impact on data centers, power demand, and the broader market. The team also takes stock of CRE’s cautiously bullish outlook, from investors itching to get back in the game to the latest LightBox CRE 2025 Predictions Report, where industry veterans are throwing around phrases like if not a banner year, a better year. Will 2025 deliver on the expected CRE transition? Plus, AT&T’s sale leaseback, and sales activity trends in Chicago office, and mixed-use properties. 00:17 Fed's Decision and Market Reactions01:01 AI Disruptor DeepSeek Shakes the Market02:01 Impact on Data Centers and Tech Stocks13:47 Commercial Real Estate Predictions for 202519:51 Retail Sector Developments25:01 Office Market Trends in Chicago31:48 Sale-Leaseback Deals and Corporate Finance33:19 Mentorship Program and Upcoming EventsHave question for the pod team? Send them to [email protected] us Fan Mailwww.lightboxre.com