Are Industrial REITs Poised to Grow Amid Recovery in Demand?

Core Insights - Industrial REITs are experiencing improved visibility in 2026 due to a rebound in industrial demand during the latter half of 2025 [1] - The U.S. industrial vacancy rate remained stable at 7.1% for three consecutive quarters, with full-year net absorption reaching 176.8 million square feet, a 16.3% year-over-year increase [2] - Prologis closed 2025 with strong performance, signing 57 million square feet of leases in Q4, resulting in a period-end occupancy of 95.8% and a core FFO of $1.44 per share [3] Industrial Real Estate Market Fundamentals in Q4 - The fourth quarter of 2025 saw net absorption of approximately 54.5 million square feet, a 29% improvement year-over-year, with leasing activity concentrated in inland distribution hubs [5] - National asking rents increased by about 1.5% year-over-year, with notable softness in the Northeast and West regions [6] - Approximately 268 million square feet of industrial space remained under construction at year-end, with development activity showing signs of leveling off [6] Outlook for Industrial Real Estate - The outlook for the industrial real estate market indicates gradual improvement rather than a rapid rebound, with vacancy expected to stabilize before tightening over time [7] - Structural drivers such as e-commerce, automation, and reshoring are expected to support long-term demand [7] Stock Picks - Industrial Logistics Properties Trust (ILPT) focuses on high-quality industrial and logistics properties, with a portfolio of 411 properties totaling approximately 59.9 million rentable square feet [8] - ILPT's investment case is bolstered by solid fundamentals, with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and an expected FFO per share increase of over 100% year-over-year for Q4 2025 [10][12] - First Industrial Realty Trust (FR) offers a focused investment in U.S. logistics demand, with a portfolio of roughly 70 million square feet concentrated in supply-constrained coastal markets [13]