Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. JLL which shortened its name to “JLL,” reported first-quarter 2016 adjusted earnings of 82 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 72 cents. Adjusted earnings for first-quarter 2015 were 97 cents per share. For the quarter, revenues came in at around $1.34 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.21 billion and up 11% year over year. Fee revenues increased 9% year over year to $1.12 billion. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) were $85 million, down from $90 million in the prior-year quarter. Quarter in Detail Geographically, fee revenues from the Americas totaled $555 million, denoting a year-over-year increase of 11%. Fee revenues in the EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) region inched up 1% year over year to $256.4 million; while that in the Asia-Pacific region rose 9% year over year to $205.9 million. Revenues from LaSalle Investment Management segment increased 16% year over year to $113.2 million. At the end of first-quarter 2016, assets under management totaled $58.3 billion, up from $56.4 billion at the end of the prior quarter. Liquidity JLL exited the first quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $240.4 million, up from $216.6 million as of Dec 31, 2015. At the end of first-quarter 2016, the company’s net debt was $972 million, up $512 million from the prior-quarter end. Our Viewpoint Aided by a favorable environment in the real estate market, we believe that a strong LaSalle Investment Management business would help the REIT to ride on the growth trajectory. JLL currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Investors interested in the real estate industry may consider stocks like Forestar Group Inc. FOR, Brookfield Asset Management Inc. BAM and Reis, Inc. REIS. While Forestar Group sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), both Brookfield Asset Management and Reis hold a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report BROOKFIELD ASST (BAM): Free Stock Analysis Report FORESTAR GROUP (FOR): Free Stock Analysis Report JONES LANG LASL (JLL): Free Stock Analysis Report REIS INC (REIS): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research