WASHINGTON, DC—“REITs continued to have strong underlying operating fundamentals in the first half of the year,” says NAREIT's Steven A. Wechsler, yet share prices took a hit.

HONG KONG—With the sale of the 503-key waterfront property, Intercontinental Hotels Group has completed “the disposals of our major owned assets,” says CEO Richard Solomons.

CALABASAS, CA—“Modest wage gains and a dip in the participation rate will likely have little effect on the Federal Reserve's stance on a rate hike,” writes Marcus & Millichap's Hessam Nadji.

NEW YORK CITY—The projections bode well for continuing economic improvement and commercial real estate metrics, although unlimited growth potential isn't in the forecast.

WASHINGTON, DC—Deals making better use of underutilized properties “promote local economic development and increase the nation's gross domestic product,” says NAR's Lawrence Yun; a new survey says most members have done them.

NEW YORK CITY—Cushman & Wakefield's Mosler says tenants are coming to the 16-building Brooklyn complex “to be a part of the vibrant and diverse community of creatives and makers that's growing there.”

AUSTIN, TX—Together with development partner RedLeaf Properties, Austin Community College has tapped Greystar Real Estate Partners to build a multifamily complex here; groundbreaking is slated for fall.

NEW YORK CITY—The example of Annaly Capital Management, which recently hired a team from GE Capital Real Estate, provides a template for other mREITs, says Kroll Bond Rating Agency.