The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (Index:^AXPJ) (ASX: XPJ) has fallen again this week, down about 1.4% over last week's levels. A-REITs (or Australian Real Estate Investment Trusts) continue to enjoy record year-to-date gains, however, with the XPJ index still up over 20% in 2019 so far.
Let's check out what the big ASX REITs have been doing over the last week
Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)
As the biggest REIT in the index at an 18% weighting, Goodman often sets the tone for the sector, and with GMG down for the week, its no surprise the index is also down. Goodman is trading for $15.22 at close today, down 1.3% over last week's levels, but with Goodman up over 42% for the year, investors don't have a lot to complain about with this one.
Scentre Group (ASX: SCG)
Scentre is also down for the week, with Scentre shares closing at $3.85 today, down roughly 5% week-to-date despite no real news coming out about the Westfield REIT. Coincidentally, Scentre is now almost exactly the same price it started 2019 at. Scentre has a 17% weighting in the XPJ index and is yielding 5.64% on current prices.
Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP)
With a 9% weighting on the index, Stockland is one of the more diversified REITs on the ASX, with the company claiming retirement villages, shopping centres and industrial parks to its name. Stockland shares are up 4% for the week, possibly due to the recent ex-dividend dip being forgotten about. Stockland is now up around 34% for the year so far and SGP shares are yielding a 5.99% dividend on current prices.
Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)
Although a small fry by comparison to others, I've thrown RFF in this week as this agricultural REIT has been making gains over the past few months. RFF specialises in leasing farmland used to grow cattle, cotton, chickens and other agricultural goods. RFF shares have risen almost 11% in 2019 so far and currently pay a yield of 4.04%.
Foolish Takeaway
This week has seen some mildly-wild fluctuations as REITs across the index have done some adjusting. I continue to expect general price rises over the coming weeks as more and more investors chase the yields that REITs provide
