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DTCR vs ICF
Which ETF would AI Choose? Global X Data Center & Digital Infrastructure ETF (DTCR) vs. iShares Cohen & Steers REIT ETF (ICF)
Key Takeaways
- Different mandates: DTCR is a thematic fund focused on data centers and digital infrastructure, while ICF is a broad, large-cap U.S. REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) portfolio.
- Overlapping giants: Both funds are heavily weighted to data-center and telecom-tower REITs such as EQIX, AMT, and DLR, creating meaningful return correlation despite different strategies.
- Cost gap: ICF charges 0.32% annually versus DTCR's 0.50%, giving ICF a structural cost advantage.
- Concentration vs. breadth: DTCR is a concentrated thematic bet with technology exposure, while ICF spreads risk across retail, healthcare, industrial, residential, and storage REITs.
- Risk profile: DTCR carries higher thematic and technology cyclicality, whereas ICF offers more balanced, income-oriented real estate exposure.
- Both are non-diversified: Each fund's concentrated portfolio can amplify single-holding and single-sector risk.
Introduction
Data centers and digital infrastructure have become one of the defining investment themes of the current market cycle, while diversified U.S. real estate remains a staple for income-seeking investors. Comparing DTCR and ICF is instructive because the two funds occupy adjacent but distinct territory: one is a focused thematic wager on digital infrastructure, and the other is a broad REIT allocation that happens to hold many of the same data-center and tower names. They do not compete directly, but their overlapping top holdings make this an especially relevant ETF comparison for investors evaluating sector exposure and relative positioning.
Global X Data Center & Digital Infrastructure ETF (DTCR) Overview
DTCR is a passively managed, thematic ETF that seeks to track the Solactive Data Center REITs & Digital Infrastructure Index. It invests at least 80% of assets in companies operating data centers, cellular towers, and related digital infrastructure hardware, including exposure through ADRs (American Depositary Receipts) and GDRs (Global Depositary Receipts).
The fund holds roughly 28 securities and is notably concentrated, with its top ten positions historically representing more than 70% of assets. Leading holdings include AMT (American Tower), DLR (Digital Realty), EQIX (Equinix), CCI (Crown Castle), and SBAC (SBA Communications), alongside semiconductor and hardware names such as MU (Micron), MRVL (Marvell), and SMCI (Super Micro).
Sector exposure leans heavily toward real estate (roughly 58%), with the remainder spread across information technology and communication-related businesses. The fund is roughly 75% U.S.-based, with additional exposure to China, Australia, and South Korea. Its expense ratio is 0.50%, and it is structured as a non-diversified fund, meaning single-position weightings can be substantial.
iShares Cohen & Steers REIT ETF (ICF) Overview
ICF is a passively managed ETF that seeks to track the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index, composed of large, actively traded U.S. equity REITs. Launched in 2001, it is one of the longest-tenured real estate funds and offers pure, 100% real estate exposure with no mortgage REITs or non-REIT property stocks.
The portfolio holds about 30 to 34 securities, with the top ten accounting for roughly 60% of assets. Core positions include WELL (Welltower), PLD (Prologis), EQIX (Equinix), AMT (American Tower), SPG (Simon Property), PSA (Public Storage), and DLR (Digital Realty).
Sector allocation is diversified across telecom towers, data centers, retail, healthcare, multi-family residential, industrial, and self-storage REITs. The fund carries an expense ratio of 0.32% and is also non-diversified, though its property-type breadth tempers single-theme risk relative to a thematic fund.
Industry and Thematic Backdrop
Both funds sit at the intersection of several powerful macro forces. The buildout of cloud computing and artificial intelligence capacity has driven sustained capital flows into data-center and tower REITs, benefiting the shared names across DTCR and ICF. Meanwhile, the broader REIT complex remains sensitive to interest-rate expectations, because higher financing costs pressure property valuations and acquisition activity.
Within this backdrop, ICF adds exposure to rate-sensitive segments such as retail, healthcare, and residential real estate, which carry their own operating and demographic drivers. DTCR, by contrast, layers in semiconductor and hardware cyclicality, tying part of its fund performance to technology earnings cycles and global supply-chain dynamics. Regulatory developments around tower leasing, data sovereignty, and international data-center expansion also shape the environment for both funds.
Performance and Positioning Comparison
In recent market cycles, DTCR has exhibited stronger momentum when the artificial intelligence and cloud-infrastructure trade is in favor, reflecting its concentrated digital-infrastructure and semiconductor exposure. This thematic tilt has historically translated into higher upside during technology-led rallies but also greater drawdown potential when growth sentiment cools.
ICF has tended to deliver steadier, income-oriented returns, with its broader property-type mix acting as a partial buffer against single-theme reversals. Its relative performance is more closely tied to interest-rate expectations and the health of commercial real estate fundamentals. On a volatility basis, ICF's diversified REIT structure generally provides a smoother profile, while DTCR's technology overlay introduces additional cyclicality. For relative positioning, DTCR represents a higher-beta expression of the digital-infrastructure theme, whereas ICF offers broad, large-cap real estate exposure with meaningful overlap in the same data-center and tower leaders.
AI Screener
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Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable structural factors, Tickeron's AI would likely favor DTCR for investors seeking concentrated exposure to durable digital-infrastructure momentum, given its higher thematic alignment with ongoing cloud and artificial intelligence capital expenditure. However, ICF presents a more compelling case on cost efficiency (0.32% versus 0.50%) and diversification, offering lower single-theme risk and steadier income characteristics. Net of these trade-offs, the AI verdict leans toward DTCR when sector momentum and trend consistency in digital infrastructure are strong, while acknowledging that ICF is structurally the more balanced, lower-cost vehicle for broader real estate allocation.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is DTCR is a Hold and ICF is a Hold.
DTCR's RSI Indicator climbs out of oversold territory
The RSI Oscillator for DTCR moved out of oversold territory on October 23, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is shifting from a downward trend to an upward trend. Traders may want to buy the stock or call options. The A.I.dvisor looked at 24 similar instances when the indicator left oversold territory. In 22 of the 24 cases the stock moved higher. This puts the odds of a move higher at 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for DTCR just turned positive on October 28, 2026. Looking at past instances where DTCR's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 43 of 46 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
Following a +2.92% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where DTCR advanced for three days, in 298 of 335 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 89%.
DTCR may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator has been in the overbought zone for 1 day. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on October 30, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on DTCR as a result. In 65 of 82 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 79%.
The 50-day moving average for DTCR moved below the 200-day moving average on October 28, 2026. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where DTCR declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 86%.
The Aroon Indicator for DTCR entered a downward trend on October 30, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
ICF's RSI Oscillator ascends from oversold territory
The RSI Oscillator for ICF moved out of oversold territory on October 06, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is shifting from a downward trend to an upward trend. Traders may want to buy the stock or call options. The A.I.dvisor looked at 23 similar instances when the indicator left oversold territory. In 21 of the 23 cases the stock moved higher. This puts the odds of a move higher at 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 09, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on ICF as a result. In 76 of 93 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 82%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for ICF just turned positive on October 09, 2026. Looking at past instances where ICF's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 40 of 48 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 83%.
ICF moved above its 50-day moving average on October 29, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The 10-day moving average for ICF crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 29, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 14 of 18 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 78%.
Following a +2.16% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where ICF advanced for three days, in 267 of 319 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 84%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator entered the overbought zone. Expect a price pull-back in the foreseeable future.
The 50-day moving average for ICF moved below the 200-day moving average on October 28, 2026. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where ICF declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 86%.
ICF broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 29, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for ICF entered a downward trend on October 19, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
| DTCR | ICF | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 90% | 3 days ago 90% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 72% | 3 days ago 81% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 79% | 3 days ago 82% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 90% | 3 days ago 83% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 88% | 3 days ago 83% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 86% | 3 days ago 80% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 89% | 3 days ago 84% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 86% | 5 days ago 86% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 90% | 3 days ago 85% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 89% | 3 days ago 72% |
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DTCR and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, DTCR has been closely correlated with LRCX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 74% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if DTCR jumps, then LRCX could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To DTCR | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DTCR | 100% | -2.96% | ||
| LRCX - DTCR | 74% Closely correlated | -6.01% | ||
| APLD - DTCR | 72% Closely correlated | -8.22% | ||
| AMD - DTCR | 70% Closely correlated | -10.88% | ||
| MU - DTCR | 69% Closely correlated | -5.30% | ||
| MRVL - DTCR | 65% Loosely correlated | -10.05% | ||
More | ||||
ICF and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ICF has been closely correlated with EXR. These tickers have moved in lockstep 74% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if ICF jumps, then EXR could also see price increases.
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