SoftBank is making a big bet on real estate tech. The Japanese telecom giant invested $450 million in Compass, a $2.2 billion real estate company shaking up the industry. Rob Lehman, Chief Revenue Officer at Compass, was with us to discuss what the deal means for the company.
With investments ranging from Uber to WeWork, SoftBank is one of the most influential investors in the tech community. Lehman explains that his company appealed to SoftBank because they recognized a technology gap in the real estate market that Compass was filling. He also points out Compass was an attractive investment because real estate is the largest asset globally.
With the new funding, Lehman says the company will focus on growth and continued investments in technology. When it comes to emerging technologies, Compass doesn't have plans for virtual reality. Instead, the company is more focused on artificial intelligence, says Lehman. In addition to technology, the new funding will go to breaking into tier one cities such as Atlanta and Phoenix, he adds.
Ahead of the release of October's consumer inflation data Tuesday, you may notice changes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. When it comes to how it estimates health insurance costs, the move is expected to give a boost to the U.S. inflation measure which will reverse a trend that has provided some relief.
A handful of retailers will report earnings this week, including Home Depot, Target, Walmart and Macy's, as gas prices peaked in September to the end of this latest quarter while borrowing costs remain at their highest levels in decades.
