REET Delivers a Higher Yield, But ICF Provides Greater Exposure to the U.S. REIT Market

Core Insights - iShares Global REIT ETF (REET) provides broader global exposure and lower fees compared to iShares Select U.S. REIT ETF (ICF), which focuses on a concentrated U.S. REIT lineup with higher volatility and lower yields [1][2] Cost & Size Comparison - REET has an expense ratio of 0.14%, while ICF charges 0.32%, making REET the more cost-effective option [3][4] - As of March 16, 2026, REET's 1-year return is 6.5% compared to ICF's 4.2% [3] - REET offers a dividend yield of 3.5%, higher than ICF's 2.7% [4] - REET has assets under management (AUM) of $4.6 billion, significantly larger than ICF's $2.0 billion [3] Performance & Risk Comparison - Over the past five years, REET's maximum drawdown is -32.14%, while ICF's is -34.75% [5] - An investment of $1,000 would have grown to $1,004 in REET and $1,117 in ICF over five years [5] Portfolio Composition - ICF consists of 30 U.S. real estate investment trusts, focusing solely on the U.S. market with top holdings including Equinix Reit Inc, Welltower Inc, and American Tower Reit Corp [6] - REET holds 325 assets across developed and emerging markets, providing a diverse range of property types and geographies, with top positions including Welltower Inc, Prologis Reit Inc, and Equinix Reit Inc [7] Investment Implications - Investors often diversify their portfolios by including real estate components, and real estate ETFs like REET and ICF are popular choices for this purpose [8]