** Shares of CMCT , a real estate investment trust that focuses on multifamily and office properties, inch up 0.5% to $1.91

** Stock set for first day of gains since halving its dividend earlier this week, if current levels hold

** The rate cut on Wednesday is expected to ease pressure on real estate investors, many of whom have been struggling with high borrowing costs in the last few years

** CMCT had shelved a planned sale of assets this week after a would-be buyer failed to close the deal

** The company said it would borrow against those assets instead, and invest the proceeds in premier multifamily properties

** Stock has lost nearly half of its value YTD

(Reporting by Niket Nishant in Bengaluru)

((Niket.Nishant@thomsonreuters.com))