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ICF vs REAI
Which ETF would AI Choose? iShares Cohen & Steers REIT ETF (ICF) vs. Intelligent Real Estate ETF (REAI)
Key Takeaways
- ICF is a passive, index-tracking fund holding roughly 30 large, liquid U.S. real estate investment trusts (REITs), while REAI is an actively managed, non-diversified fund with a concentrated, AI-infrastructure-leaning portfolio of about 26 REITs.
- Cost structure diverges sharply: ICF charges a 0.32% expense ratio versus REAI at 0.59%, giving the index fund a durable cost advantage.
- REAI tilts heavily toward data-center and digital-infrastructure REITs, whereas ICF offers broader exposure across towers, retail, residential, industrial, healthcare, and self-storage property types.
- Liquidity and scale differ materially: ICF is a mature, multi-billion-dollar vehicle, while REAI is a much smaller, younger fund with higher portfolio turnover (about 125% annually), which can raise trading and tax-efficiency considerations.
- Tickeron AI Verdict: ICF is the favored ticker of the two, reflecting its lower cost, superior liquidity, broader diversification, and more consistent relative positioning.
Introduction
Real estate has re-emerged as a focal point for investors as interest-rate expectations, e-commerce logistics demand, and the artificial intelligence buildout reshape property fundamentals. Both ICF and REAI target U.S. REITs (real estate investment trusts), but they are not direct competitors in structure. ICF is a broad, index-based core holding, while REAI is a thematic, actively managed fund that leans into AI-infrastructure properties. Comparing them helps investors weigh cost-efficient diversification against concentrated, theme-driven sector exposure in the same asset class.
iShares Cohen & Steers REIT ETF (ICF) Overview
ICF, launched in 2001 by BlackRock, is a passively managed fund that seeks to track the Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index, composed of relatively large, liquid U.S. REITs. It typically holds about 30 securities, with the top 10 positions representing roughly 60% of assets, and carries an expense ratio of 0.32%.
Top holdings include data-center and tower operators EQIX (Equinix), AMT (American Tower), and DLR (Digital Realty), alongside diversified landlords such as PLD (Prologis), WELL (Welltower), and SPG (Simon Property Group). Sector allocation spans telecom towers, data centers, retail, multi-family residential, healthcare, industrial, and self-storage REITs, making it a broad representation of the large-cap REIT universe. As a non-diversified, market-cap-weighted index fund, ICF offers structural simplicity and generally lower turnover than active peers.
Intelligent Real Estate ETF (REAI) Overview
REAI, advised by Tidal Investments with Armada ETFs as sub-adviser, is an actively managed ETF that seeks total return by investing in publicly traded REITs and, to a limited extent, mortgage-backed securities (MBS). It holds roughly 26 positions, is classified as non-diversified, and charges an expense ratio of 0.59%. Its portfolio turnover rate of about 125% reflects active repositioning.
The fund's strategy is distinctive: it seeks to mirror the qualitative characteristics of select non-traded REITs, emphasizing sectors such as industrial, self-storage, net lease, and "AI infrastructure" REITs spanning data centers, power generation, and logistics. Top holdings include EQIX, DLR, IRM (Iron Mountain), AMT, PLD, and PSA (Public Storage), with the top 10 names around 60% of assets. This concentration gives REAI a pronounced data-center and digital-infrastructure tilt relative to the broader REIT market.
Industry and Thematic Backdrop
Both funds operate within the same macro environment. REIT valuations remain sensitive to interest-rate policy, because higher borrowing costs pressure property cash flows and discount rates. At the same time, structural demand for data centers, logistics facilities, and towers has been supported by cloud computing, e-commerce, and the AI-driven surge in digital infrastructure. These tailwinds disproportionately favor the specialized holdings emphasized by REAI. Broader sectors such as office, retail, and residential face their own cyclical and structural dynamics, which ICF captures through its wider allocation. Regulatory developments around data-center power demand and evolving work-from-home patterns remain key sector-level risks for both funds.
Performance and Positioning Comparison
In recent market cycles, the relative performance of these two ETFs has been shaped by their differing exposures. ICF's diversification across defensive property types such as healthcare and self-storage, combined with its large-cap, index-based construction, has produced steadier relative positioning. REAI's heavier weighting to data-center and infrastructure REITs has made it more responsive to AI-related capital flows and technology-sector momentum, but also more volatile and sensitive to shifts in growth-stock sentiment and interest-rate expectations. Cost and turnover also differentiate them over time: ICF's lower fee and lower turnover reduce the structural drag on returns, while REAI's active strategy and concentration introduce higher idiosyncratic, or company-specific, risk. Liquidity profiles differ meaningfully, with ICF's scale offering tighter trading conditions than REAI's smaller asset base.
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 securities with customizable criteria such as 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. Explore the AI Screener to refine your ETF comparison and sector exposure research.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable structural factors, Tickeron's AI would likely favor ICF over REAI at present. ICF combines a meaningfully lower expense ratio (0.32% versus 0.59%), deeper liquidity, broader diversification across REIT property types, and a longer, more established track record with lower portfolio turnover. While REAI offers a compelling thematic tilt toward AI-infrastructure and data-center REITs that could benefit from sustained digital-economy demand, its higher cost, concentrated holdings, and smaller scale introduce additional volatility and structural risk. On a risk-adjusted, cost-aware basis, ICF presents the more consistent relative positioning for investors seeking broad U.S. REIT exposure.
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 REAI is a Buy.
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 71 of 91 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 78%.
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 39 of 48 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 81%.
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 +1.65% 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%.
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 23 of the 27 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 85%.
The Stochastic Oscillator may be shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. In 51 of 62 cases where ICF's Stochastic Oscillator exited the overbought zone, the price fell further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 82%.
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.
REAI's MACD Histogram crosses above signal line
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for REAI turned positive on October 09, 2026. Looking at past instances where REAI's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 27 of 31 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 87%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 27, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on REAI as a result. In 38 of 55 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 69%.
REAI moved above its 50-day moving average on November 03, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
The 10-day moving average for REAI crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on November 06, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 5 of 10 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 50%.
Following a +3.59% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where REAI advanced for three days, in 102 of 133 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 77%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The 10-day RSI Indicator for REAI 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 18 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 16 of the 18 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 89%.
The Stochastic Oscillator may be shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. In 35 of 45 cases where REAI's Stochastic Oscillator exited the overbought zone, the price fell further within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 78%.
The 50-day moving average for REAI 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 REAI 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 76%.
REAI 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.
The Aroon Indicator for REAI entered a downward trend on October 28, 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 | REAI | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 85% | 1 day ago 89% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 82% | 1 day ago 78% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 78% | 1 day ago 69% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 81% | 5 days ago 87% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 83% | 1 day ago 73% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 80% | 1 day ago 71% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 84% | 11 days ago 77% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 85% | 9 days ago 76% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 82% | 1 day ago 62% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 77% | 1 day ago 56% |
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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.
REAI and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, REAI has been loosely correlated with CUZ. These tickers have moved in lockstep 39% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if REAI jumps, then CUZ could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To REAI | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| REAI | 100% | N/A | ||
| CUZ - REAI | 39% Loosely correlated | +0.47% | ||
| ARE - REAI | 37% Loosely correlated | -1.04% | ||
| PDM - REAI | 36% Loosely correlated | +0.50% | ||
| BXP - REAI | 34% Loosely correlated | +1.42% | ||
| DEI - REAI | 32% Poorly correlated | +0.61% | ||
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