2026 REIT Strategies Unveiled: AI Infrastructure and Demographic Shifts Lead the Charge
The real estate investment trust (REIT) landscape is poised for transformation in 2026, with five Core strategies emerging as pivotal for investors seeking outsized returns. At the forefront is the AI 'Power-First' Infrastructure Arbitrage, where REITs controlling power permits and electrical grid interconnections are expected to dominate the AI buildout bottleneck.
Demographic shifts are equally critical, as Senior Housing Operating Portfolios (SHOP 2.0) replace traditional healthcare leases to capture margins from aging baby boomers. Legislative tailwinds, including the Section 199A deduction and expanded Taxable REIT Subsidiary limits, offer additional alpha opportunities.
Factor-based selection and transatlantic yield rotations round out the tactical playbook, targeting mispriced public REITs and undervalued European and Japanese markets.
