REIT Returns Lead the Pack

The real estate investment trust sector recorded a total return of 8.3% in 2005, beating other market benchmarks for the period, according to the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts.This return on the NAREIT Composite index compares with a 4.91% return on the S&P 500 index and a 1.37% return on the NASDAQ Composite, according to the Washington-based REIT industry trade group. Taking into account only changes in REIT prices, and leaving out dividend payouts, the REIT sector recorded a total return of 2.51% last year. NAREIT can be found online at http://www.nareit.com.