All have matched or beaten the Nareit index in the past five years and score high in our Best Buy ratings system, which measures performance against risk and expenses.

FORBES: Ride The Realty Slump In Style

Of the 31 retail sector REITs (in the FTSE NAREIT Index), the overall average dividend yield is 3.1 percent and the combined retail sector market capitalization is 135.35 billion or around 26 percent of the overall capitalization of the FTSE NAREIT All Equity REIT Index.

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LCDIG1The iShares FTSE NAREIT Retail Index Fund (RTL) is a great example of a fund with low costs but poor holdings.

FORBES: Fund Quality Can Trump Costs