Globest Sectors

WASHINGTON, DC-After having joined forces to survey disclosure practices in mortgage-backed securities markets, the US Department of the Treasury, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight release a study with suggestions for improvements.

SANTA CLARITA, CA-An Encino, CA-based investor, acquires the 220,000-sf shopping center from Forest Family Partners, also of Encino. The plaza, boasting a roster of national retail names, was 98% leased at sale time.

FORT WORTH-The Hispanic retail community delivers two tenants for the Fort Worth Town Center, bought a year ago for a repositioning play. A closed club will reopen as an OK Corral while a shuttered theater's lights are flicked by what could be a new chain.

HOUSTON-Infometrics Market Center, eight years in development, is introduced to Houston by Moody Rambin Interests. The Web-based tool delivers real time data for leasing, marketing and property management.

STAMFORD, CT-Ending an office search that lasted more than two years, international global information solutions firm Thomson Corp. will significantly expand its corporate presence here with its signed leases at Metro Center and First Stamford Place totaling more than 130,000 sf of office space.

SAN DIEGO-According to research by Burnham Real Estate Services, San Diego County's office market posted a steady fourth quarter for 2002, with 627,000 sf of net absorption. The 2002 net office absorption at 1.6 million sf outpaced the previous year's figure of one million sf.

NEW YORK CITY-We're on the threshold of war, there are no jobs, the Bush tax plan is a dubious bet and business confidence is still in the dumpster. So why is Mark Zandi so upbeat?

VANCOUVER, WA-Currently located in half as much space in Clackamas, the custom injection molder inks a 10-year deal at the Port of Vancouver. The company expects to expand to 36,000-sf building within four years.