Did you ever look at your investment report and see an allocation to a REIT, and wonder, “What the hell is that?”
Source: Morningstar via National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts
Important disclosure information
REIT investments are not suitable for all investors. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Diversification does not eliminate the risk of experiencing investment losses. An investment cannot be made directly in an index. This is for illustrative purposes only and not indicative of any investment. The data assumes reinvestment of all income and does not account for taxes or transaction costs. Capital gains and dividends received may be taxed in the year received. Government bonds and Treasury bills are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. Bonds in a portfolio are typically intended to provide income and/or diversification. U.S. government bonds may be exempt from state taxes, and income is taxed as ordinary income in the year received. With government bonds, the investor is a creditor of the government. Stocks and REITs are not guaranteed and have been more volatile than bonds. Stocks provide ownership in corporations that intend to provide growth and/or current income. REITs typically provide high dividends plus the potential for moderate, long-term capital appreciation. A REIT must distribute at least 90% of its taxable income to shareholders annually. REITs involve special risks such as management quality, corporate structure, the ability to increase revenues from rents, and the balance of the supply of new buildings with demand for space. Additional risks include general and local economic conditions, interest rate fluctuation, credit risks, and liquidity risks. Holding REITs for the long term does not ensure a profitable outcome and investing in REITs always involves risk, including the possibility of losing the entire investment. The information, data, analyses and opinions contained herein do not constitute investment advice and are provided solely for informational purposes.
Source: Stocks—Standard & Poor’s 500®, which is an unmanaged group of securities and considered to be representative of the U.S. stock market in general; Bonds—20-year U.S. Government Bond; Treasury Bills—30-day U.S. Treasury Bill; REITs—FTSE NAREIT All Equity REIT Index®.