iShares Residential and Multisector Real Estate ETF

REZ

Market cap $814M

The REIT sector has seen back-to-back tough months as it saw a modest average negative total return in September (-0.73%) and fell deeper into the red in October (-4.03%). Small cap REITs (-5.05%) had the worst performance in October. Micro caps (-2.81%), mid caps (-3.11%) and large caps (-4.45%) were also in negative territory albeit to a smaller degree. Only 21.66% of REIT securities had a positive total return in October.

Last week's economic narrative centered around the Federal Reserve's latest rate cut, a decision complicated by the government shutdown and lack of economic data. Other reports from the week showed a third straight drop in consumer confidence and a continued slowdown in U.S. home prices.

New home sales unexpectedly surged to their highest level in over 3.5 years in August. According to the Census Bureau, new home sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 800,000 last month.

REITs performed very well in August (+5.48%), almost pulling the REIT sector's year-to-date total return back into the black (-1.11%). Small cap (+7.52%) and mid cap REITs (+7.13%) averaged strong gains in August while large caps (+3.16%) and micro caps (+0.87%) averaged more modest returns. 83.87% of REIT securities had a positive total return in August.

New home sales inched down in July but still came in higher than expected. According to the Census Bureau, new home sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 652,000 last month.

U.S. equity markets notched another series of record highs this week, surging into the weekend after surprisingly dovish commentary from Federal Reserve Chair Powell, who hinted at imminent rate cuts. Powell used his final Jackson Hole speech as Fed Chair to deliver a clear policy pivot, an unexpected reversal after months of insistence that tariff-related inflation warranted a hawkish framework. Markets were equally relieved by the policy-focused nature of Powell's speech amid speculation that the address may be used instead as a potential defiant sermon on central bank independence.

After a strong June (+2.56%), the REIT sector recovery stalled in July (-1.17%) as REITs fell to a -6.42% year-to-date return. Micro cap REITs (-0.20%) outperformed in July while mid caps (-1.18%), small caps (-1.33%) and large caps (-1.55%) averaged slightly deeper negative returns. 60.65% of REIT securities had a negative total return in July.

REZ focuses on healthcare, apartment, self-storage, and manufactured home REITs, with a concentrated portfolio and moderate growth characteristics. Since inception, the iShares Residential and Multisector Real Estate ETF has outperformed the VNQ benchmark with lower volatility and drawdown. Compared to HOMZ, REZ offers a more focused REIT exposure, but HOMZ has delivered higher returns and dividend growth, albeit with liquidity risks.

U.S. equity markets fell sharply this week, while benchmark interest rates retreated to three-month lows, after revised employment data showed that job growth was far weaker than initially reported. The BLS payrolls report showed softer-than-expected hiring in July and the steepest two-month downward revisions to jobs growth since 2020, raising concern that the Fed may be "behind the curve." The downward revisions came days after Fed Chair Powell used it as the primary evidence for "solid" labor markets, which justified the FOMC's decision to keep rates in "restrictive" territory.

New home sales inched up in June but still came in lower than expected. According to the Census Bureau, new home sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 627,000 last month.