DIGITAL* employment chart

DIGITAL employment chart showing 3 and twelve-month average annual percentage changes in DIGITAL and non DIGITAL markets for Q1, 2022.

BLS, Moody’s Analytics, Principal Real Estate Investors, Q1 2022

In the first quarter of 2022, employment rose in all 48 metro areas that Principal Real Estate Investors tracks, as the labor market recovery continues. Despite a resurgence of COVID-19 cases driven by the Omicron variant in recent months, the first quarter continued to see strong growth in hiring across all regions. Once again, our DIGITAL sum of markets outpaced the national average with Sacramento, Raleigh, and San Bernardino/Riverside posting the strongest growth during the first quarter of 2022.

Markets with strong population growth and exposure to hightech and tourism related industries outperformed. Notably we are also starting to see the emergence of larger gateway cities among top markets, as back to office plans are being increasingly implemented on both coasts. Goods-producing industries, such as manufacturing and construction, continued to struggle relative to the rest of the labor market as materials and labor shortages continue to vex businesses.

Top 5, bottom 5 cities

Two tables showing the top and bottom 5 cities with the largest 3-month percentage changes in Q1, 2022.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Moody’s Analytics, Principal Real Estate Investors, Q1 2022.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labor market is gradually subsiding though growth in the labor force has proved to be uneven since the recovery. The labor market has 1.6 million payrolls to recover before reaching its prepandemic peak, as of the end of Q1 2022. Pandemic related volatility has certainly eased, and restrictions are now minimal in most regions of the country. The job market’s progress will now be driven largely by underlying economic fundamentals. While a resurgence of cases remains a risk to the labor market outlook, geopolitical events, and slower underlying growth domestically as the Fed continues its hiking cycle to combat inflation remain our primary concerns over the next 12 months. That said, our outlook for a full payroll recovery has not changed appreciably in the last three months and we maintain our view that the economy will have recovered the jobs lost during the 2020 correction by the end of this year, with DIGITAL markets remaining ahead of the curve.

Monthly percentage change

Four bar charts showing the monthly percentage changes in different industry verticals from October 2021 to March 2022.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Moody’s Analytics, Principal Real Estate Investors, Q1 2022.

*DIGITAL refers to key long -term growth drivers centred around demographics, innovation, globalization, infrastructure, and technology that Principal has identified as metrics of long-term market outperformance.

Disclosure

Risk considerations 

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Potential investors should be aware of the risks inherent to owning and investing in real estate, including value fluctuations, capital market pricing volatility, liquidity risks, leverage, credit risk, occupancy risk and legal risk. All these risks can lead to a decline in the value of the real estate. 

Important information 

This material covers general information only and does not take account of any investor’s investment objectives or financial situation and should not be construed as specific investment advice, a recommendation, or be relied on in any way as a guarantee, promise, forecast or prediction of future events regarding an investment or the markets in general. The opinions and predictions expressed are subject to change without prior notice. The information presented has been derived from sources believed to be accurate; however, we do not independently verify or guarantee its accuracy or validity. Any reference to a specific investment or security does not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold such investment or security, nor an indication that the investment manager or its affiliates has recommended a specific security for any client account. Subject to any contrary provisions of applicable law, the investment manager and its affiliates, and their officers, directors, employees, agents, disclaim any express or implied warranty of reliability or accuracy and any responsibility arising in any way (including by reason of negligence) for errors or omissions in the information or data provided. 

This material may contain ‘forward-looking’ information that is not purely historical in nature and may include, among other things, projections and forecasts. There is no guarantee that any forecasts made will come to pass. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. 

This material is not intended for distribution to or use by any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation. 

This document is intended for use in: 

  • The United States by Principal Global Investors, LLC, which is regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
  • Europe by Principal Global Investors (EU) Limited, Sobo Works, Windmill Lane, Dublin D02 K156, Ireland. Principal Global Investors (EU) Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
  • United Kingdom by Principal Global Investors (Europe) Limited, Level 1, 1 Wood Street, London, EC2V 7 JB, registered in England, No. 03819986, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”).
  • This document is marketing material and is issued in Switzerland by Principal Global Investors (Switzerland) GmbH.
  • In Europe, this document is directed exclusively at Professional Clients and Eligible Counterparties and should not be relied upon by Retail Clients (all as defined by the MiFID). The contents of the document have been approved by the relevant entity. Clients that do not directly contract with Principal Global Investors (Europe) Limited (“PGIE”) or Principal Global Investors (EU) Limited (“PGI EU”) will not benefit from the protections offered by the rules and regulations of the Financial Conduct Authority or the Central Bank of Ireland, including those enacted under MiFID II. Further, where clients do contract with PGIE or PGI EU, PGIE or PGI EU may delegate management authority to affiliates that are not authorized and regulated within Europe and in any such case, the client may not benefit from all protections offered by the rules and regulations of the Financial Conduct Authority, or the Central Bank of Ireland.
  • United Arab Emirates by Principal Global Investors LLC, a branch registered in the Dubai International Financial Centre and authorized by the Dubai Financial Services Authority as a representative office and is delivered on an individual basis to the recipient and should not be passed on or otherwise distributed by the recipient to any other person or organisation.
  • Singapore by Principal Global Investors (Singapore)Limited (ACRA Reg. No.199603735H), which is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and is directed exclusively at institutional investors as defined by the Securities and Futures Act (2001). This advertisement or publication has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
  • Australia by Principal Global Investors (Australia) Limited (ABN 45 102 488 068, AFS Licence No. 225385), which is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. This document is intended for sophisticated institutional investors only.
  • Hong Kong SAR (China) by Principal Global Investors (Hong Kong) Limited, which is regulated by the Securities and Futures Commission and is directed exclusively at professional investors as defined by the Securities and Futures Ordinance.
  • Other APAC Countries, this material is issued for institutional investors only (or professional/ sophisticated/qualified investors, as such term may apply in local jurisdictions) and is delivered on an individual basis to the recipient and should not be passed on, used by any person or entity in any jurisdiction or country where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

Principal Funds are distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc

© 2022 Principal Financial Services, Inc. Principal®, Principal Financial Group®, and Principal and the logomark design are registered trademarks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., a Principal Financial Group company, in the United States and are trademarks and services marks of Principal Financial Services, Inc., in various countries around the world. Principal Global Investors leads global asset management at Principal®.

MM11961-04 | 2205782 | 12/2022