Top 3 Picks
Score
2026 Outlook
Looking ahead to 2026, the REIT sector is poised for moderate growth driven by resilient demand in residential and commercial properties, fueled by urbanization and e-commerce trends that favor logistics-focused REITs. However, potential challenges like rising interest rates could increase borrowing costs, though anticipated stabilization in the U.S. economy may lead to a 5-7% sector-wide total return based on historical averages. Overall, with improving occupancy rates and rental income growth projected at 3-4% annually, REITs could outperform broader equities if inflation remains controlled.
Complete Rankings
| Rank | Stock | Score | Price | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
VICI Properties Inc. Common Stock
|
68.3 | $28.15 | $35.1B |
|
2
|
UDR, Inc.
|
67.6 | $36.69 | $12.2B |
|
3
|
AGNC Investment Corp. Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 6.50% Series E Fixed-to-Floating Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
|
67.5 | $25.13 | -- |
|
4
|
Clipper Realty Inc. Common Stock
|
66.8 | $3.56 | $62M |
|
5
|
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.
|
66.3 | $139.13 | $16.2B |
|
6
|
Global Self Storage, Inc. Common Stock
|
66.3 | $5.10 | $57M |
|
7
|
Apartment Investment and Management Company
|
66.2 | $5.90 | $1.1B |
|
8
|
JBG SMITH Properties Common Shares
|
65.9 | $16.70 | $1.4B |
|
9
|
Acadia Realty Trust
|
65.8 | $20.64 | $2.7B |
|
10
|
Equity Residential
|
65.8 | $62.03 | $24.5B |
|
11
|
Centerspace
|
65.6 | $66.97 | $984M |
|
12
|
Cousins Properties Inc.
|
65.2 | $25.92 | $4.9B |
|
13
|
Kimco Realty Corp.
|
64.9 | $20.06 | $14.6B |
|
14
|
MFA Financial Inc
|
64.8 | $25.30 | -- |
|
15
|
Americold Realty Trust, Inc.
|
64.7 | $12.94 | $3.5B |
In-Depth Analysis: Top REIT Stocks
VICI
VICI Properties Inc is a real estate investment trust based in the United States. It engaged in the business of owning and acquiring gaming, hospitality, wellness, entertainment and leisure destinations, subject to long-term triple net leases. It own nearly 93 experiential assets across a geographically portfolio consisting of nearly 54 gaming properties and nearly 39 other experiential properties across the …
VICI Properties Inc. matters in the REIT sector due to its specialized focus on experiential assets like gaming, hospitality, and leisure destinations, which are secured under long-term triple net leases, providing stable and high-yield cash flows. With nearly 93 assets across diverse geographies, it offers investors unique exposure to non-traditional REIT opportunities in the growing entertainment and wellness industries.
VICI's 70.2% profit margin demonstrates exceptional operational efficiency and robust cash generation from its triple net lease structure, outperforming many peers in the REIT sector. Additionally, a 10.4% ROE reflects solid financial health and effective use of equity, though the 4.4% revenue growth indicates steady but modest expansion amid sector challenges.
VICI's P/E ratio of 10.8 suggests the stock is undervalued relative to industry averages, positioning it for potential capital appreciation by 2026 as the hospitality and gaming sectors recover. The company's 4.4% revenue growth is likely to accelerate with increasing tourism demand and economic normalization, supported by its diversified portfolio of 93 assets under stable triple net leases. Furthermore, a Tradestie Score of 68.3/100 indicates above-average investment potential, making VICI an attractive buy for those seeking reliable REIT dividends and long-term growth.
UDR
UDR Inc is a real estate investment trust that owns, operates, acquires, renovates, develops, redevelops, disposes of, and manages multifamily apartment communities in targeted markets located in the United States. The company has two reportable segments; Same-Store Communities segment represents those communities acquired, developed, and stabilized; and Non-Mature Communities/Other segment represents those communities that do not meet the criteria to …
UDR Inc. is a leading REIT in the multifamily apartment sector, owning and managing a vast portfolio of communities in high-demand U.S. markets, which positions it as a key provider of residential real estate amid growing urban housing needs. Its focus on segments like Same-Store Communities ensures stable cash flows and operational efficiency, making it a significant player in the broader REIT landscape for diversification and income generation.
UDR's 8.6% profit margin reflects moderate profitability typical for REITs, while its 3.6% ROE indicates potential for improved equity utilization to enhance returns. Despite a high P/E ratio of 84.1 suggesting premium valuation, the 6.6% revenue growth demonstrates financial health and capacity for sustained expansion in a competitive market.
UDR's 6.6% revenue growth highlights its ability to capitalize on rising demand for multifamily housing, driven by urbanization and demographic shifts, making it a compelling investment by 2026. The Tradestie Score of 67.6 indicates a solid risk-reward balance, supported by the company's operational strengths in key markets. Additionally, potential interest rate declines by 2026 could boost REIT valuations, enhancing UDR's prospects for dividend yields and long-term capital appreciation.
AGNCO
AGNC Investment Corp is a real estate investment trust that invests in agency residential mortgage-backed securities. The firm's asset portfolio is comprised of residential mortgage pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or …
AGNC Investment Corp. matters in the REIT sector as a leading investor in agency residential mortgage-backed securities, providing essential liquidity and stability to the U.S. housing finance market, which underpins broader real estate dynamics.
AGNC exhibits exceptional profitability with an 87.7% profit margin, reflecting efficient management of its mortgage securities portfolio, while a 7.9% ROE indicates moderate equity returns amid high operational leverage. The company's 122.3% revenue growth and a Tradestie Score of 67.5/100 further signal robust financial health and expansion potential in the REIT space.
AGNCO's preferred stock offers attractive income potential in 2026, driven by AGNC's 122.3% revenue growth that could continue with stabilizing interest rates boosting mortgage-backed securities demand. The 87.7% profit margin supports reliable dividend payouts from its fixed-to-floating cumulative structure, enhancing appeal for income-focused investors. Additionally, the Tradestie Score of 67.5/100 positions AGNCO for sustained outperformance in a recovering REIT sector.
CLPR
Clipper Realty Inc is a self-administered and self-managed real estate company. It acquires, owns, manages, operates, and repositions multifamily residential and commercial properties in the New York metropolitan area, with a portfolio in Manhattan and Brooklyn. It has classified its reporting segments into Residential Rental Properties and Commercial Rental Properties. The company derives its revenue mostly from the Residential segment.
Clipper Realty Inc. matters in the REIT sector due to its specialized focus on acquiring, managing, and repositioning multifamily residential and commercial properties in high-demand New York metropolitan areas like Manhattan and Brooklyn, where urban real estate values continue to drive sector growth. As a self-administered and self-managed entity, it offers streamlined operations and direct market exposure, making it a notable player in urban-focused REIT investments.
Clipper Realty's profitability is weak, evidenced by a negative profit margin of -10.4% that highlights operational losses and an ROE of -399.9% indicating severe inefficiency in equity utilization, which raises concerns about financial health. Despite this, the company's revenue growth of 0.2% suggests a baseline of stability in its core property portfolio amid broader market challenges.
Investors should consider CLPR in 2026 given its Tradestie Score of 66.8, signaling moderate upside potential in a recovering real estate market, particularly in New York where demand for multifamily properties is expected to rise. The modest revenue growth of 0.2% could accelerate with urban revitalization efforts and interest rate adjustments, enhancing cash flows from its Manhattan and Brooklyn assets. As a self-managed REIT, operational efficiencies may lead to improved profitability and higher dividends, positioning the stock for appreciation by 2026.
MAA
Mid-America Apartment Communities Inc or MAA, is a real estate investment trust engaged in the acquisition, operation, and development of multifamily apartment communities located in the southeastern and southwestern United States. The company operates two reportable segments; Same Store includes communities that the Company has owned and have been stabilized for at least a full 12 months as of the …
MAA is a prominent REIT specializing in multifamily apartment communities in the high-growth Southeast and Southwest regions, where population influxes and urbanization drive sustained rental demand. Its strategic focus on these areas positions it as a key player in providing stable, income-generating real estate amid sector-wide shifts toward residential properties.
MAA's 25.2% profit margin reflects strong operational efficiency, allowing it to generate substantial net income relative to revenue in the competitive REIT sector. However, a 9.4% ROE and only 0.6% revenue growth suggest moderate financial health, with potential vulnerabilities if market conditions do not improve to boost expansion.
By 2026, MAA is poised for growth due to expected demographic trends in the Southeast and Southwest, including population increases that could elevate occupancy rates and rental income, building on its current 25.2% profit margin for enhanced cash flows. The company's P/E ratio of 29.7 indicates a premium valuation that could be justified by stabilizing interest rates and economic recovery, making it attractive for dividend-focused investors. Additionally, with a Tradestie Score of 66.3/100, MAA's balanced metrics suggest resilience in a recovering housing market, potentially leading to stock appreciation.
SELF
Global Self Storage Inc is a self-administered and self-managed REIT that owns, operates, manages, acquires, develops, and redevelops self-storage properties. The company's self-storage properties are designed to offer affordable, easily accessible, and secure storage space for residential and commercial customers. It has one segment of Rental operations. Through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the company owns and/or manages close to thirteen self-storage …
Global Self Storage Inc. matters in the REIT sector as a self-administered and self-managed entity specializing in self-storage properties, which provide resilient rental income streams due to consistent demand from residential and commercial users amid economic uncertainties.
The company's 14.1% profit margin indicates moderate efficiency in converting revenue to profit, while a 3.8% ROE suggests limited returns on equity, potentially due to conservative capital allocation; however, with only 0.8% revenue growth, it maintains stability, as evidenced by a Tradestie Score of 66.3, reflecting overall fair financial health.
By 2026, SELF could benefit from rising demand in the self-storage market driven by urbanization and e-commerce expansion, potentially improving upon its current 0.8% revenue growth and justifying its 31.9 P/E ratio through enhanced earnings. As a self-managed REIT, it is positioned for efficient property acquisitions and developments in a recovering economy, supported by a Tradestie Score of 66.3 that signals solid fundamentals for long-term appreciation. Investors may find value in its stable operations and potential for yield in a growing sector.
AIV
Apartment Investment & Management Co is a self-managed real estate investment trust. It is focused on property development, redevelopment and various other value-creating investment strategies, targeting the U.S multifamily market. Its operating segments are Development and Redevelopment; Operating, and Other. Development and Redevelopment segment consists of properties that are under construction or have not achieved stabilization, as well as land …
Apartment Investment and Management Company (AIV) matters in the REIT sector due to its specialized focus on the U.S. multifamily market, which addresses growing housing demands amid urbanization and demographic shifts. As a self-managed REIT emphasizing development, redevelopment, and operating segments, AIV drives value through targeted strategies in a sector critical for residential real estate investment.
AIV demonstrates exceptional profitability with a 115.5% profit margin, likely driven by effective asset management or one-time gains, but this is offset by a -30.6% ROE, indicating inefficient use of shareholders' equity and potential financial strain. Additionally, the -0.6% revenue growth highlights challenges in sustaining top-line expansion, raising questions about long-term financial health despite the high margin.
By 2026, AIV's strategic emphasis on multifamily development and redevelopment positions it to benefit from projected U.S. housing market recovery, including rising rental demand from population growth and urbanization, potentially reversing the -0.6% revenue decline. The company's 115.5% profit margin underscores its operational efficiency, which could translate to stronger earnings if market conditions improve, supported by a Tradestie Score of 66.2 indicating moderate investment appeal. Overall, AIV's focus on value-creating strategies in a resilient sector makes it a compelling buy for investors anticipating sector rebound and long-term growth.
JBGS
JBG SMITH Properties is a real estate investment trust based in the United States. It owns, operates, invests in, and develops real estate assets concentrated in amenity-rich, metro-served submarkets in and around Washington, DC. In addition, the company also provides fee-based real estate services to legacy funds through its third-party real estate services business. The operating segments of the company …
JBG SMITH Properties stands out in the REIT sector due to its strategic focus on amenity-rich, metro-served submarkets in and around Washington, DC, a high-demand area driven by government, tech, and professional services. This positioning, combined with its fee-based real estate services, allows it to diversify revenue streams and capitalize on urban real estate trends, making it a key player in regional economic growth.
The company's negative profit margin of -30.6% highlights operational challenges, likely from high development costs and market pressures in the DC area, while a ROE of -8.9% indicates inefficient use of equity, signaling potential financial strain. Despite a revenue decline of -8.9%, the Tradestie Score of 65.9 suggests moderate underlying strengths that could support long-term financial health.
By 2026, JBG SMITH's prime DC submarket exposure could benefit from economic recovery and increased demand for urban properties, potentially reversing the current -8.9% revenue growth to positive figures. The Tradestie Score of 65.9 indicates moderate investment appeal, supported by its diversified revenue from fee-based services, which may provide stability amid market fluctuations. Additionally, as REITs often rebound with interest rate adjustments, investors could see appreciation in JBGS shares driven by its high-quality asset portfolio.
AKR
Acadia Realty Trust is a real estate investment trust that specializes in the operation, management, leasing, renovation, and acquisition of shopping centers and mixed-use properties with retail components. The company operates through three segments: Core Portfolio segment consists primarily of high-quality retail properties located primarily in high-barrier-to-entry, densely-populated metropolitan areas with a long-term investment horizon; Investment Management segment holds primarily …
Acadia Realty Trust matters in the REIT sector due to its specialized focus on high-quality shopping centers and mixed-use properties, which are integral to the retail real estate market and support community-driven commerce. As a key operator through its Core Portfolio segment, it plays a vital role in leasing, renovating, and acquiring properties that adapt to evolving consumer trends.
Acadia Realty Trust's profitability is modest with a 4.5% profit margin, but its negative ROE of -1.7% highlights inefficiencies in utilizing shareholders' equity, potentially signaling financial strain. Coupled with a -2.4% revenue growth and a high P/E ratio of 160.0, these metrics indicate overvaluation and declining performance, warranting caution on overall financial health.
Investors should consider buying AKR in 2026 given its Tradestie Score of 65.8, suggesting moderate upside potential amid sector recovery. The company's expertise in retail-focused properties positions it to capitalize on anticipated economic growth and increased consumer spending, potentially reversing the -2.4% revenue decline. Additionally, as a REIT, AKR may offer attractive dividend yields and property appreciation in a rebounding retail market.
EQR
Equity Residential owns a portfolio of 312 apartment communities with over 84,000 units and is developing two additional properties with 655 units. The company focuses on owning large, high-quality properties in the urban and suburban submarkets of Southern California, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., New York, Seattle, and Boston.
Equity Residential matters in the REIT sector as a leading residential property owner with a portfolio of 312 apartment communities totaling over 84,000 units, strategically located in high-demand urban and suburban markets like Southern California, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. This focus on large, high-quality properties positions the company as a key provider of multifamily housing in prime U.S. regions, contributing to sector stability and growth.
Equity Residential exhibits strong profitability with a 37.6% profit margin, indicating efficient cost management and revenue conversion in the competitive REIT landscape. Its 10.4% ROE and 4.6% revenue growth reflect solid financial health, demonstrating the company's ability to generate returns and expand operations despite market fluctuations.
Investors should consider buying EQR stock in 2026 due to its ongoing development of two properties adding 655 units, which will enhance its portfolio in high-demand markets and support revenue growth projected at 4.6%. The company's P/E ratio of 20.9 suggests it is attractively valued relative to earnings, offering potential for appreciation amid increasing urban housing demand. Furthermore, a Tradestie Score of 65.8/100 indicates a favorable risk-reward profile, making it a compelling option for long-term REIT exposure.
Methodology
Stocks are ranked using the Tradestie Score, a proprietary 0-100 rating that combines fundamental quality (profitability, balance sheet strength), growth metrics (revenue and earnings growth), valuation (P/E, PEG ratio), and momentum factors. Scores are updated daily based on the latest market data. Learn more about our methodology.