Equinix IncData center REITs, including Equinix, surged over 33% on AI and rising data usage growth.
Real estate investment trusts, or REITs, were the best-performing asset class in June, a surprise turnaround for a sector that has struggled for years. The S&P 500 fell about 1% in June, while most other asset classes also declined, but REITs posted gains. The entire REIT sector is up about 9.5% this year, as measured by the Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF, slightly outperforming the broader market. Lodging and resort REITs surged almost 43% this year and 12% in June alone, driven by a resurgence in group and corporate travel, while data center REITs climbed more than 33% on growth from artificial intelligence and rising data usage. Healthcare and self-storage REITs each rose over 20% in 2026, with only gaming and telecommunications REITs posting declines among the 14 REIT categories tracked by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts.
Equinix IncData center REITs, including Equinix, surged over 33% on AI and rising data usage growth.
Digital Realty Trust Inc
Welltower IncHealthcare REITs, including Welltower, rose over 20% in 2026.
NVIDIA Corporation
Realty Income Corporation