- The major averages are modestly lower, but the equity REIT sector as represented by IYR +0.6% and VNQ +0.8% is seeing a bid as the 10-year Treasury yield slips a full six basis points to 2.30%.
- Roughed-up shopping center names are among the strongest gainers: Retail Opportunity (ROIC +2%), Kimco (KIM +1.7%), Whitestone (WSR +1.6%), CBL (CBL +2.6%), Kite Realty (KRG +1.7%).
- Also in the green are the mortgage REITs (REM +0.7%), though Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) today downgraded a trio of big names, noting considerably less favorable risk/reward as the stocks now trade pretty close to book value. Those three - AGNC Investment (AGNC), Two Harbors (TWO +0.9%), and CYS Investments (CYS +0.4%). Other players: Annaly (NLY +0.6%), Armour (ARR +0.6%), New York Mortgage (NYMT +1.9%), AG Mortgage (MITT +2.1%), Ellington (EARN +1.2%).
- ETFs: VNQ, IYR, MORL, REM, MORT, DRN, RQI, URE, SCHH, ICF, RWR, SRS, RNP, RFI, JRS, KBWY, NRO
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