Ron Bohlert, Lead Real Estate at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), participated in a video interview at REITwise 2018, Nareit’s Law, Accounting & Finance Conference in Hollywood, Florida.
Bohlert commented on initial public offering (IPO) activity in 2017. He noted that overall, 88 IPOs raised about $31.3 billion. The REIT industry, while relatively flat throughout the course of the year, still saw 9 IPOs raising about $2.8 billion, he noted.
As for 2018, Bohlert noted that January was the NYSE’s strongest month ever, with 11 new listings raising about $8.5 billion. REITs played a big part in that, he said. Market volatility since then has meant IPO activity has suffered, he added.
Bohlert noted that REIT shares have come under pressure as they have not shared in the general sense of optimism generated by tax reform. The current interest rate environment is also adding pressure, he said.
Nareit and the NYSE will hold the second REIT Investor Relations Symposium on June 4 at the NYSE Big Board Club. The symposium will provide expert panels, networking opportunities and more.