With interest rates expected to come down in 2024, real estate — a sector beloved for its steady income payments — could see upside in the new year. "When rates are low, a lot of income-oriented investors see that REIT dividend as very attractive, and they are willing to take the risks associated with equity investment to have this dividend payment." Jefferies is neutral on the office REIT sector but has raised its rating on Boston Properties to buy from hold. The senior housing occupancy rate was 84.4% in the third quarter of 2023, according to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care . That's up more than 6 percentage points from the pandemic low of 77.8%, but it's still off from the pre-pandemic occupancy rate of 87.1%.

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Persons: REITs, Kevin Brown, Jefferies, Peter Abramowitz, Morningstar's Brown, it's, Brown, JPMorgan's Anthony Paolone, Ventas, — CNBC's Michael Bloom, Chris Hayes Organizations: Federal Reserve, Treasury, Boston Properties, Boston, National Investment Center, Seniors Housing & Care, Realty Locations: U.S, Boston, Friday's