Economic Uncertainty from Coronavirus to Remain High, Likely into May

Nareit Senior Economist Calvin Schnure said in an April 6 REIT Report podcast interview that uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus and its impact on the economy and markets will remain high, certainly through April and likely into May.Schnure also noted that while REITs and broader stock indices are at a deep discount compared to pre-crisis levels, they are up from lows reached several weeks ago.Investors seem to be anticipating that the policy actions taken so far, notably the $2 trillion fiscal stimulus as well as Federal Reserve measures to support financial markets and make sure they continue to function smoothly, are going to help a lot of households and businesses, Schnure said. “Investors seem to anticipate these measures are going to buffer the economy and the markets from some of the worst scenarios,” he noted.