Income & Catalysts Highlight 2026 Case for This REIT ETF

Core Viewpoint - Real estate investment trusts (REITs) and related ETFs have underperformed in 2023, but there is optimism for improved performance in 2026, particularly for the NEOS Real Estate High Income ETF (IYRI) which has a strong income-generating potential [1][2]. Group 1: Performance and Income Generation - The NEOS Real Estate High Income ETF (IYRI) has a distribution rate of 10.77% as of November 30, indicating its strong income-generating capabilities in a sector known for high income levels [2]. - IYRI employs an options-based strategy by selling call options on ETFs tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Capped Index, which is a widely observed measure of U.S.-listed REITs [1][2]. Group 2: Future Outlook and Catalysts - Analysts anticipate increased mergers and acquisitions activity in the real estate sector by 2026, which could positively impact IYRI and other REITs [3]. - The demand for data centers, driven by artificial intelligence (AI), is expected to remain strong, benefiting IYRI as the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Capped Index includes data center REITs [4]. - Management teams are focusing on segments with recurring revenue profiles, such as Senior Housing, which could lead to favorable conditions for REITs heading into 2026 [5].