Citi sees upside for Australian real estate sector ahead of property conference

** Citi sees its Australian Real Estate Conference next week as a "critical inflection point" for the sector .AXRE

** Brokerage expects management commentary to be more reassuring than what current market positioning suggests

** Retail REITs could provide the biggest positive surprise at the conference, with near-full occupancy across retail landlords Vicinity Centres VCX.AX, GPT Group GPT.AX and Charter Hall CHC.AX - Citi

** Says data centre demand remains structurally intact and sees Goodman Group GMG.AX approaching key leasing milestones ahead of its November 4 quarterly update

** Stable sales volumes at Stockland Corporation SGP.AX and Mirvac Group MGR.AX would be a positive surprise relative to bearish sentiment towards the Australian housing market - Citi

** Real Estate sub-index down 17.3% YTD