REIT Index Shows 30% Return for '04

The NAREIT Composite REIT Index closed 2004 with a total return of 30.4% for the year, according to the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts.Last year was the fifth consecutive year that the real estate investment trust index has outperformed other stock market benchmarks, the REIT industry trade association said. For 2005, REIT industry analysts are looking for total returns ranging from negative-10% to as high as 16%, NAREIT said, with the average forecast in the 5%-10% gain range (which is "in line with historical performance," according to NAREIT).