Opportunity in Alternatives

Over the last 25 years, US REITs have provided successful risk-adjusted diversification opportunities when compared with a 50/50 equity bond portfolio. Comparing them with just an equity or fixed income benchmark understates how well they do when compared with a joint benchmark. They perform far better than the other alternatives we look at – hedge funds, commodities and gold. We think the investors underuse the tactical asset allocation opportunity provided by REITs, as opposed to real estate in physical form.