NAR launches leading index for commercial real estate

NAR launches leading index for commercial real estate: "WASHINGTON -- Feb. 23, 2006 -- The National Association of Realtors� (NAR) launched a new leading indicator for the commercial real estate market yesterday -- called the Commercial Leading Indicator for Brokerage Activity -- and it indicates that an increase in commercial brokerage activity can be expected over the next six to nine months.

David Lereah, NAR�s chief economist, says the new index shows the broad recovery in commercial real estate markets will continue. �In fact, the index increased in nine of the last 10 quarters -- this trend implies that commercial activity of net absorption and the completion of new buildings will remain solid through the third quarter of this year.�"