In this low interest rate environment, investors have been on a search for yield. This has made investments like real estate investment trusts (REITs) popular among income-focused investors. This week, we have chosen the Voya Real Estate Fund (CLARX) as our fund of the week.
The fund was launched in 2002 and is managed by T. Ritson Ferguson and Joseph P. Smith. Currently, it has about $1.7 billion in assets under management (AUM).
The Voya Real Estate fund focuses primarily on real estate. The fund’s holdings include many big-name real estate investment trusts (REITs)
Historical Performance
| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27.43% | 9.31% | 15.31% | 1.77% | 30.16% |
Voya Real Estate Fund’s Largest Holdings
Nearly 30% of the fund’s portfolio is in its top five holdings. Each of these holdings are up in 2015.
| Symbol | Stock | Portfolio Weight | 2015 Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPG | Simon Property Group | 8.24% | +12% |
| EQR | Equity Residential | 5.52% | +12% |
| HST | Host Hotels & Resorts | 4.77% | +1% |
| HCN | Health Care REIT | 4.56% | +10% |
| PLD | Prologis | 4.49% | +10% |
The Bottom Line
A fund like the Voya Real Estate fund is a great way for investors to gain exposure to the real estate industry. For more information, check out Beginner’s Guide to Real Estate Funds.