ETF investors have a number of broad REIT-related options available to them. For instance, the Vanguard REIT ETF (NYSEArca: VNQ), SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF (NYSEArca: RWR) and iShares Dow Jones US Real Estate Index Fund (NYSEArca: IYR) are among the most popular REIT ETF plays. VNQ has a 4.21% 12-mont yield, RWR shows a 3.62% 12-month yield and IYR comes with a 4.09% 12-month yield.
In anticipation of the new REITs classification, State Street Global Advisor came out with the Financial services Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLFS) and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEArca: XLRE) back in October – the fund operator, though, will still operate the broader Financial Services Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLF).
XLRE will try to reflect the performance of the Real Estate Select Sector Index, which include real estate management and development and REITs, excluding mortgage REITs. The underlying index has a dividend yield of 3.30%.
XLFS will try to reflect the performance of the Financial Services Select Sector Index, which tracks areas like diversified financial services, insurance, banks, capital markets, consumer finance, thrifts, mortgage finance and mortgage REITs. The underling index has a dividend yield of 1.91%.