REITs: A Mostly Harmless Investment?

Historically – and we’re talking over timescales that make geological epochs seem like a quick lunch break – REITs have, on average, outperformed the S&P 500. We’re talking annual returns in the 11% to 12% range over 25 to 52 years. The S&P 500, meanwhile, has been chugging along at a respectable, but comparatively modest, high single-digit pace. This suggests that, if you’re planning for the long haul – say, the next few millennia – REITs might be the slightly less improbable option.








