RE Execs Taking Hopeful View

Most senior real estate executives believe that industry fundamentals are solid and that overseas growth will partially offset the softening of the domestic market, according to a new report by The Real Estate Roundtable and FPL Advisory Group. "Leading the Enterprise 2008," released at the Roundtable's 2008 State of the Industry Meeting in Washington, indicates that 69% of nearly 200 surveyed executives are forecasting revenue increases this year and 71% expect profitability to increase. "While we're seeing a more cautious approach to enterprise management in 2008, new opportunities are opening up due to industry globalization, which presents new areas of investment for U.S. capital while also attracting foreign equity capital to our shores," said William J. Ferguson, co-chairman of FPL and the author of the report. The report can be found at http://www.fpladvisorygroup.com.