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ICF vs KBWY
Which ETF would AI Choose? iShares Cohen & Steers REIT ETF (ICF) vs. Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF (KBWY)
Key Takeaways
- ICF targets large-cap U.S. real estate investment trusts (REITs) through the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index, while KBWY focuses on small- and mid-cap REITs screened for high dividend yields.
- ICF offers broad, quality-weighted diversification across data centers, towers, industrial, retail, and healthcare properties; KBWY is far more concentrated in higher-risk, higher-yielding niche REITs.
- Cost structure is comparable but slightly favors ICF, with an expense ratio of roughly 0.32% versus about 0.35% for KBWY.
- KBWY carries a substantially higher distribution yield and elevated volatility, while ICF provides steadier, large-cap exposure with a more durable income profile.
- Tickeron AI Verdict: ICF — the AI favors the structurally stronger, more diversified, and lower-risk large-cap REIT fund.
Introduction
At first glance, ICF and KBWY appear to be direct competitors: both are U.S.-listed ETFs that invest exclusively in real estate investment trusts. In practice, however, they occupy opposite ends of the REIT spectrum. ICF is a large-cap, index-based core holding, while KBWY is a yield-driven, small- and mid-cap satellite position. For investors weighing sector exposure, fund performance, and relative positioning across the U.S. property market, this ETF comparison highlights how two funds in the same category can deliver profoundly different risk-and-return profiles — a difference that has grown more relevant as interest-rate expectations and sector rotation reshape commercial real estate.
iShares Cohen & Steers REIT ETF (ICF) Overview
ICF, launched in January 2001 by BlackRock, is a passively managed fund that seeks to track the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index, a benchmark of relatively large, actively traded U.S. REITs. The portfolio holds roughly 30 to 34 positions and is market-capitalization weighted, which gives it a pronounced large-cap tilt and a concentrated top-ten allocation of around 58% of assets.
Leading holdings include Welltower (WELL), Prologis (PLD), Equinix (EQIX), American Tower (AMT), Simon Property Group (SPG), Public Storage (PSA), Realty Income (O), and Digital Realty Trust (DLR). Sector exposure is spread across telecom towers, data centers, retail, multifamily residential, healthcare, industrial, and self-storage REITs. With a net expense ratio near 0.32%, the fund is cost-competitive within its category and is generally characterized by moderate volatility for a REIT strategy.
Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF (KBWY) Overview
KBWY, launched in December 2010 by Invesco, tracks the KBW Nasdaq Premium Yield Equity REIT Index, a modified dividend-yield-weighted index of small- and mid-cap U.S. equity REITs selected for competitive distribution yields. The fund holds roughly 27 to 32 names, and its weighting methodology tilts the portfolio toward higher-paying, often higher-risk property owners.
Top positions have historically included Innovative Industrial Properties (IIPR), Gladstone Commercial (GOOD), Community Healthcare Trust (CHCT), Global Net Lease (GNL), Brandywine Realty Trust (BDN), and Easterly Government Properties (DEA). Nearly 100% of the portfolio sits in the real estate sector, spanning healthcare, office, net-lease, lodging, and specialty properties. The fund charges about 0.35% and pays distributions monthly, supporting a trailing yield that has frequently exceeded 8% — well above the broad REIT category — while carrying a meaningfully higher beta (a measure of sensitivity to overall market moves) and standard deviation than large-cap peers.
Industry and Thematic Backdrop
Both funds operate within the U.S. commercial real estate cycle, where performance is heavily influenced by the path of interest rates. REITs typically compete with bonds for income-seeking capital, so higher yields on Treasuries can pressure valuations, while easing rate expectations tend to support the group. Sector rotation within real estate has favored growth-oriented property types tied to data infrastructure, towers, and logistics — areas that dominate ICF — while offices and certain smaller, higher-yielding landlords face structural headwinds from hybrid work trends and stretched payout ratios. Regulatory developments in healthcare, cannabis-adjacent properties, and lodging also create company-specific risk that is more concentrated in KBWY's lineup.
Performance and Positioning Comparison
Over recent market cycles, ICF has generally delivered steadier total returns, supported by the durable cash flows of large-cap landlords and exposure to secular growth themes such as data centers and wireless infrastructure. KBWY, by contrast, has offered substantially higher current income but has experienced deeper drawdowns and weaker long-term capital appreciation, reflecting the higher leverage, smaller balance sheets, and less diversified tenant bases common among its holdings. In an environment where investors are reassessing rate sensitivity and income sustainability, ICF's quality-oriented positioning has tended to hold up better, while KBWY's relative performance remains more dependent on risk appetite and the health of its higher-yielding constituents.
AI Screener
Tickeron's AI Screener is an AI-powered stock and ETF discovery tool that helps traders and investors filter the market using technical patterns, fundamentals, trend strength, volatility, and AI-driven signals. Users can scan thousands of stocks and ETFs with customizable filters for industry, market capitalization, technical indicators, price patterns, and performance metrics, making it easier to surface trade ideas, breakout candidates, and trending opportunities than manual screening allows. For investors comparing REIT funds or hunting for sector momentum, the AI Screener offers a faster, data-driven way to identify opportunities and refine relative positioning.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable structural factors, Tickeron's AI would currently favor ICF. The fund combines a lower cost profile, broader diversification across high-quality REIT subsectors, a large-cap orientation with stronger balance sheets, and exposure to secular growth themes such as data centers and towers. KBWY's higher yield is offset by elevated volatility, concentration in smaller landlords with less predictable payout coverage, and greater sensitivity to credit and rate stress. While KBWY may appeal to income-focused investors willing to accept higher risk, ICF's superior risk-adjusted positioning, trend consistency, and structural resilience make it the more favorable choice in this comparison.
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 ICF is a Buy and KBWY is a Hold.
ICF in upward trend: price rose above 50-day moving average on October 29, 2026
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. In 50 of 57 similar past instances, the stock price increased further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 88%.
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 72 of 91 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 79%.
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 37 of 48 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 77%.
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 15 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 83%.
Following a +3.29% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where ICF advanced for three days, in 266 of 318 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 84%.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 227 of 295 cases where ICF Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 77%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for ICF moved out of overbought territory on November 05, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 27 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 24 of the 27 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 89%.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 6 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
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 85%.
ICF broke above its upper Bollinger Band on November 04, 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.
KBWY's Indicator enters downward trend
The Aroon Indicator for KBWY entered a downward trend on October 28, 2026. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor identified a pattern where the AroonDown red line was above 70 while the AroonUp green line was below 30 for three straight days. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. A.I.dvisor looked at 209 similar instances where the Aroon Indicator formed such a pattern. In 179 of the 209 cases the stock moved lower. This puts the odds of a downward move at 86%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator may be shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. In 54 of 64 cases where KBWY's Stochastic Oscillator exited the overbought zone, the price fell further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 84%.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where KBWY 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 84%.
KBWY broke above its upper Bollinger Band on November 04, 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.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where KBWY's RSI Oscillator exited the oversold zone, 28 of 32 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 88%.
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 28, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on KBWY as a result. In 71 of 79 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for KBWY just turned positive on October 15, 2026. Looking at past instances where KBWY's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 39 of 42 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 90%.
KBWY moved above its 50-day moving average on November 09, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +0.37% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where KBWY advanced for three days, in 258 of 305 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 85%.
| ICF | KBWY | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 89% | 2 days ago 88% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 79% | 2 days ago 84% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 79% | 2 days ago 90% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 77% | 2 days ago 90% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 83% | 2 days ago 86% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 80% | 2 days ago 85% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 7 days ago 84% | 29 days ago 85% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 85% | 5 days ago 84% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 84% | 2 days ago 84% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 77% | 2 days ago 86% |
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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 77% 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.
KBWY and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, KBWY has been closely correlated with VNO. These tickers have moved in lockstep 85% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if KBWY jumps, then VNO could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To KBWY | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KBWY | 100% | +1.26% | ||
| VNO - KBWY | 85% Closely correlated | +2.32% | ||
| HPP - KBWY | 82% Closely correlated | +10.84% | ||
| NNN - KBWY | 81% Closely correlated | +1.39% | ||
| IRT - KBWY | 78% Closely correlated | +0.47% | ||
| EPRT - KBWY | 74% Closely correlated | +1.14% | ||
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| CURE | 176.05 | 9.91 | +5.96% |
| Direxion Daily Healthcare Bull 3X ETF (CURE) | |||
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| WarCap Unconstrained Equity ETF (WCAP) | |||
| EWJV | 46.71 | 1.21 | +2.66% |
| iShares MSCI Japan Value ETF (EWJV) | |||
| AVUS | 127.52 | 3.01 | +2.42% |
| Avantis U.S. Equity ETF (AVUS) | |||
| LJAN | 24.65 | N/A | N/A |
| Innovator Premium Income 15 Buffer ETF - January (LJAN) | |||