How are ASX Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) performing in 2022?

How have REITs been performing so far this year?

| More on:
REIT written with images circling it and a man touching it.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • ASX REITs have had a rough couple of years
  • Lockdowns and work-from-home have played havoc with this sector
  • So how is the REIT sector performing in 2022 so far?

ASX Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) have certainly had a rough couple of years on the whole. The global pandemic has been especially rough for this sector. Think about it. With work from home in force, offices closed and lockdowns coming and going, the profitability of office space, retail shopfronts and residential housing would have certainly taken a hit.

But how has this translated into the performance of ASX REITs? Let's take a look.

So to kick things off, let's check out the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ). It's currently sitting at 1,596.9 points at the time of writing. That's a good 66% or so above where it bottomed in the 2020 market crash, but still a little over 7% off of its pre-COVID high watermark that we saw in February 2020. Like many ASX shares, REITs have also taken a tumble more recently. Between new year's eve 2021 and today, the index is down around 9.1%.

But let's now dive deeper into some individual ASX REITs.

An ASX REIT share temperature check for 2022 thus far

To start with, let's check out the ASX's largest REIT, Goodman Group (ASX: GMG). Goodman is a commercial and industrial REIT known for its warehouses and logistics facilities. Goodman units have managed to shake off the pandemic rather well. It was only back at the end of 2021 that this company was hitting all-time highs. Even at today's pricing, Goodman is a healthy 43% or so above its pre-COVID highs. In saying that, it remains down 12.3% year to date in 2022.

But other ASX REITs haven't been so lucky. Shopping centre operator Scentre Group (ASX: SCG) is one that has struggled. It's at $2.95 today so far, which is close to a quarter lower than its pre-COVID highs of around $4. Even so, it's still up a reasonable, if not too dazzling, 5.7% over the past 12 months. But in 2022 so far, Scentre units have lost just over 9.2%.

National Storage REIT (ASX: NSR), which is a REIT that operates self-storage centres across the country, has done a little better. It's down 8.75% over 2022 so far at the time of writing. However, it's up a far healthier 30.6% over the past 12 months, and remains above its pre-COVID highs.

To wrap things up, let's take a look at another REIT, Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP). Stockland is a diversified REIT covering shopping centres, housing, retirement villages and industrial property. But unfortunately, this company hasn't been a great performer of late. It's down 9.1% in 2022 so far, as well as by 16.3% over the past year. It's also a good 25% or so away from its own pre-COVID highs.

So all in all, it seems 2022 has been quite a harsh master to ASX REIT shares thus far. But then again, it's only February, so who knows what the rest of 2022 will bring for the ASX REIT sector.

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on REITs

Two IT professionals walk along a wall of mainframes in a data centre discussing various things
REITs

Goodman begins building its first U.S data centre

This blue chip is making big steps with its data centre plans.

Read more »

Magnifying glass in front of an open newspaper with paper houses.
REITs

Real estate making a comeback? 2 ASX REITs rated as top buys

Is now the to look at ASX real estate names?

Read more »

a man with hands in pockets and a serious look on his face stares out of an office window onto a landscape of highrise office buildings in an urban landscape
REITs

Why this could be a great ASX share sector to invest in right now

This could be a smart play right now.

Read more »

Smiling man working on his laptop.
REITs

Upgrades: Macquarie turns bullish on these ASX REITs

Has the sector found a bottom?

Read more »

Modern accountant woman in a light business suit in modern green office with documents and laptop.
REITs

2 ASX 200 REITs surging after posting H1 FY25 results

Investors seem to like what they see from these 2 specialised REITs.

Read more »

Group of successful real estate agents standing in building and looking at tablet.
REITs

The high-yielding ASX 200 REIT now 'trading at a hefty discount'

Atop an 11% share price gain in 2025, the ASX 200 REIT trades on a dividend yield north of 5%.

Read more »

Woman and man calculating a dividend yield.
AI Stocks

The $68 billion ASX 200 stock now trading at 'an attractive entry level'

A leading expert believes this $68 billion ASX 200 stock has been oversold.

Read more »

Mini house on a laptop.
REITs

2 ASX 300 property shares up big today

Investors seemed to like one earnings report more than the other.

Read more »