Real Estate Sector Equity

Real estate sector mutual funds and ETFs invest primarily in real estate... Real estate sector mutual funds and ETFs invest primarily in real estate investment trusts (REITs) of various types. These can be actively or passively managed. REITs are publicly traded companies that develop and manage real estate properties. There are several different types of REITs, including apartment, factory-outlet, health-care, hotel, industrial, mortgage, office, and shopping center REITs. Some portfolios in this category also invest in real estate operating companies. Securities that these funds and ETFs invest in can include debt securities, equity securities, convertible securities, and securities issued by real estate investment trusts and REIT-like entities. Additionally, global real estate funds and ETFs invest primarily in non-U.S. real estate securities but may also invest in U.S. real estate securities. Real estate sector mutual funds and ETFs can be attractive investments if interest rates are falling and real estate prices are rising. They can offer both the potential for capital appreciation as well as ongoing dividend income to investors. However, risk emerges when residential, industrial, commercial, or office real estate prices start falling. Another potential risk is that the economy enters a recession and vacancies rise, which may also impact a REIT’s dividend. Some REITs are riskier than others. For instance, REITs that use less leverage (i.e. borrowed money) to fund their acquisitions will be more at risk if real estate prices fall than those that use no or less leverage. Last Updated: 06/12/2026 View more View less

Real estate sector mutual funds and ETFs invest primarily in real estate investment trusts (REITs) of various types. These can be actively or passively managed. REITs are publicly traded companies that develop and... Real estate sector mutual funds and ETFs invest primarily in real estate investment trusts (REITs) of various types. These can be actively or passively managed. REITs are publicly traded companies that develop and manage real estate properties. There are several different types of REITs, including apartment, factory-outlet, health-care, hotel, industrial, mortgage, office, and shopping center REITs. Some portfolios in this category also invest in real estate operating companies. Securities that these funds and ETFs invest in can include debt securities, equity securities, convertible securities, and securities issued by real estate investment trusts and REIT-like entities. Additionally, global real estate funds and ETFs invest primarily in non-U.S. real estate securities but may also invest in U.S. real estate securities. Real estate sector mutual funds and ETFs can be attractive investments if interest rates are falling and real estate prices are rising. They can offer both the potential for capital appreciation as well as ongoing dividend income to investors. However, risk emerges when residential, industrial, commercial, or office real estate prices start falling. Another potential risk is that the economy enters a recession and vacancies rise, which may also impact a REIT’s dividend. Some REITs are riskier than others. For instance, REITs that use less leverage (i.e. borrowed money) to fund their acquisitions will be more at risk if real estate prices fall than those that use no or less leverage. Last Updated: 06/12/2026 View more View less