S&P Changes Some REIT Indices

Standard & Poor's has made some changes to the S&P MidCap 400, SmallCap 600 and REIT Composite indices that impact some REITs that play in the mortgage space.First, S&P REIT Composite constituent Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc., a REIT engaged in the acquisition, ownership, and operation of apartment communities, primarily in the southeastern United States and Texas, will replace ESS Technology Inc. in the S&P SmallCap 600 after the close of trading on Aug. 22. Second, S&P REIT Composite constituent Senior Housing Properties Trust, a REIT that invests in hospitals, nursing homes, senior apartments, independent living properties, and assisted living properties headquartered in Newton, Mass., will replace Shurgard Storage Centers Inc. in the S&P SmallCap 600, and Highland Hospitality Corp., a lodging REIT focused on hotel investments in upscale full-service, premium limited-service and extended stay segments based in McLean, Va., will replace Shurgard in the S&P REIT Composite, after the close of trading on Tuesday, Aug. 22. S&P will monitor these transactions, and post any relevant updates on its website: http://www.standardandpoors.com.