RWR vs. REET: Same Blue-Chip REIT Foundation, Different Geographic Strategies

Core Insights - The State Street SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF (RWR) focuses on U.S. real estate, while the iShares Global REIT ETF (REET) offers global exposure with lower fees and larger assets under management [1][2] Cost and Size Comparison - RWR has an expense ratio of 0.25%, while REET charges 0.14%, making REET more cost-effective for income-focused investors [3][4] - As of March 16, 2026, RWR's one-year return is 9.6% compared to REET's 10.85%, with both funds having a dividend yield of 3.4% [3] - RWR has assets under management (AUM) of $1.7 billion, whereas REET has $4.8 billion [3] Performance and Risk Metrics - Over five years, RWR experienced a maximum drawdown of -32.58%, while REET had a slightly lower drawdown of -32.14% [5] - A $1,000 investment in RWR would have grown to $1,087, while the same investment in REET would have grown to $1,004 over five years [5] Portfolio Composition - REET holds 364 securities, providing exposure to global real estate companies, with major positions in Welltower, Prologis, and Equinix [6] - RWR focuses almost entirely on U.S. real estate, with 98% of its assets in that sector and a portfolio of 98 holdings, sharing top positions with REET but with larger weights [7] Investment Implications - Both RWR and REET are structured to appeal to income investors, as REITs are required to distribute at least 90% of taxable income as dividends [8] - The top holdings of both funds include Welltower, Prologis, and American Tower, which represent modern REITs focused on growth rather than traditional landlord roles [9]