Fund spotlight
Real Estate Investment Trust funds invest in stocks of companies that delve into commercial real estate - malls, apartments, offices, etc. REIT funds took a beating in 1998. The average return: minus 17.4 percent, according to mutual-fund watcher Morningstar Inc. But many analysts expect these funds to turn around this year, as a result of rising rents and other positive market conditions. Below, the best returns in a bad year for REIT funds.
Total return
Fund name 1-yr 3-yr.*
Alpine International Real Estate Y -5.2 14.2
888-785-5578
Van Kampen US Real Estate A -10.0 N/A
800-421-5666
Van Kampen Real Estate Secs A -11.7 12.8
800-421-5666
Columbia Real Estate Equity -12.8 13.7
800-547-1707
Cohen & Steers Equity Income A -13.0 N/A
800-437-9912
Crabbe Huson Real Est. Invest. A -13.1 10.8
800-541-9732
Delaware REIT A -13.3 16.4
800-523-4640
Victory Real Estate Investment A -13.3 N/A
800-539-3863
Templeton Global Real Estate A -13.5 2.3
800-342-5236
Source: Morningstar Inc. As of Feb. 2 market close
N/A: not available, fund less than three years old
*Annualized
WHITNEY DODDS WOODRUFF
