Baird analysts predict slow but steady uptick in manufacturing, transportation and industrial areas; Real estate experts say we’re in a ‘U-shaped’ recovery; Bittles notes ‘generational shift’ to more savings
Baird analysts predict slow but steady uptick in manufacturing, transportation and industrial areas
Manufacturing and transportation companies have seen falling order levels flatten out over the last six months and some sectors can expect a limited recovery in 2010, according to several analysts with Milwaukee-based Robert W. Baird & Co. that cover those sectors. Read more in this week’s edition of BizTimes Manufacturing Weekly.
Real estate experts say we’re in a ‘U-shaped’ recovery
The U.S. economy is in the midst of a “U-shaped” recovery that will continue to be sluggish in 2010 but pick up steam by 2011 and beyond.
That was the consensus outlook of a national panel of experts speaking at last week’s BizTimes Commercial Real Estate & Development Conference this morning at Potawatomi Bingo Casino. More than 400 people attended the conference.
For the short term, the panelists expect a “jobless recovery.”
They are encouraged that the nation’s gross domestic product improved in the third quarter. Employment will be the next lagging indicator, followed by occupancy rates at properties.
The panelists are most bullish on the industrial space market, and they said that should bode well for the Milwaukee region, rather than the coasts.
“I think Milwaukee and the Midwest in general is the best-positioned region in the United States. I would be rather upbeat. It will be slow, but it will be steady,” said Rhyne Brown, executive vice president of client development at NAI Global.
Jack Durburg, executive managing director of the Chicago region for CB Richard Ellis, and Ross Moore, executive vice president and director of market and economic research at Colliers International, agreed that the industrial property market is better-positioned for recovery than office or retail.
As jobs are created, consumer spending will rise, followed by the need for additional manufacturing and distribution, which will benefit the Midwest, according to panelist Maria Sicola, executive managing director and head of research for the Americas at Cushman & Wakefield Inc. in San Francisco.
Robert Bach, senior vice president and chief economist of Grubb & Ellis Co., said the industrial market is challenged by a shortage of demand, rather than an “over-supply” problem.
The panelists said they are “doves” about worrying about the threat of inflation, and they said the credit markets are slowly loosening.
Banks are engaged in a practice of “extend and pretend” in addressing distressed real estate liabilities on their balance sheets.
Brown predicted a “managed tsunami” of bad commercial real estate debt coming due, and he said up to 200 more banks may need to be closed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC).
Bittles notes ‘generational shift’ to more savings
The economy is undergoing a “generational shift” toward saving and investing, and the shift is paving the way for economic recovery, according to Bruce Bittles, chief investment strategist for Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc., and Rod Smyth, chief investment strategist and founding partner for Riverfront Investment Group.
Bittles and Baird offered their 2010 outlook as part of a Baird Market and Economic Outlook event last week.
Unquestionably, the past 18 months have been one of the most dramatic periods in the history of the U.S. economy and financial markets, Bittles said. The good news, according to Bittles, is that it appears the economy has survived, and there are signs of economic improvement.
"Fundamentally, we’re experiencing a generational shift from borrowing and spending toward a renewed focus on saving and investing, and a movement away from risk," Bittles said. "It’s encouraging that consumers are beginning to pay down some of their debt. This increase in savings and investing will lay the foundation for a new secular bull market."
Smyth added, "It is the paradox of thrift. While it is undoubtedly right for individuals to save in this environment – and there will not be sustainable growth without it – if everyone saves, no one spends. Policymakers are facing a difficult choice.”
