Historically what types of dividend yields do REITS offer? What is the
average reit yield compared to both stocks in the S&P 500 and treasury
bonds?

Hi! Thanks for the question.

Here are the historical dividend yields for REITs, S&P 500 and Treasury Bonds.

REITs
1995 ? 7.89%
1996 ? 6.44
1997 ? 5.9
1998 ? 7.84
1999 ? 8.68
2000 ? 8.28
2001 ? 7.89
2002 ? 7.56
2003 ? 5.83
2004 ? 5.03
Source: http://www.investinreits.com/reasons/DividendAllocationSummary.xls 

In 2005 the Dividend Yield for REITs were 4.97%.
http://www.nareit.com/portfoliomag/06marapr/feat1.shtml


-----------------------------------
S&P 500
1995 ?  2.30%
1996 ?  2.01
1997 ?  1.60
1998 ?  1.32
1999 ?  1.14
2000 ?  1.23
2001 ?  1.37
2002 ?  1.83
2003 ?  1.61
2004 ?  1.60
Source: http://pages.stern.nyu.edu/~adamodar/New_Home_Page/datafile/spearn.htm 

In 2005 the Dividend Yield for the S&P 500 was 1.79%.
http://therealreturns.blogspot.com/2005_10_01_therealreturns_archive.html 


----------------------------------
Treasury Bonds:

Treasury Bonds comes in different flavors so here the different yields.
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/instit/annceresult/press/preanre/preanre_ofhistor.htm


An article however says that compared with REITs, 10 year treasury
bonds have a 4.3 to 4.4 dividend yield.

?He notes that the average dividend yield on property REITs is
currently 4.8 percent versus around 4.3 percent to 4.4 percent for
10-year notes.?

?Time to Get Into REITs??
http://www.bondsonline.com/BOL_Advisor/October_2005.php


Search terms used:
REIT "S&P 500" "dividend yield" historical 1998 2000
"treasury bonds" compared REITs
 
I hope this would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
                                                          
                              
Regards,                              
Easterangel-ga                              
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