If you're an investor looking for something a little more spicy than simple residential real estate investing, you can choose from a whole world of commercial real estate stocks. Some commercial investors manage nothing but offices or retail properties, while others focus on niches like mixed-use properties.
Residential real estate stocks are great for buying and holding, but they generally don't offer much innovation or excitement. Choosing commercial real estate stocks can provide exposure to up-and-coming industries that are primed for major growth or are already growing exponentially.
Most commercial real estate stocks are structured as real estate investment trusts (REITs), which usually pay dividends. This makes them attractive to income investors. You can also reinvest dividends to buy more shares of the REIT, further bolstering your returns.
Five best commercial real estate stocks to buy in 2026
Here are a few commercial real estate stocks to keep an eye on this year.
| Name and ticker | Market cap | Dividend yield | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kilroy Realty (NYSE:KRC) | $4.7 billion | 5.42% | Office REITs |
| Realty Income (NYSE:O) | $53.5 billion | 5.54% | Retail REITs |
| Prologis (NYSE:PLD) | $120.2 billion | 3.12% | Industrial REITs |
| Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE) | $9.3 billion | 8.67% | Health Care REITs |
| Simon Property Group (NYSE:SPG) | $60.3 billion | 4.63% | Retail REITs |
1. Kilroy Realty
NYSE: KRC
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NYSE: O
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If you're interested in building a diverse real estate portfolio but aren't sure where to start, a diversified REIT may be the answer. Realty Income (O -0.21%) is a reliable player in this arena.
Its portfolio includes a variety of commercial properties across all 50 states and Puerto Rico, as well as a small presence in several international markets. Its properties are often occupied by major retail chains -- think pharmacies, convenience stores, dollar stores, and warehouse clubs -- that tend to be reliable tenants.
NYSE: PLD
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NYSE: ARE
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As a REIT focused on the life science, ag tech, and technology industries, Alexandria Real Estate Equities (ARE +1.31%) controls spaces used for work important to humanity's future. But it's not just small spaces here and there; the company believes in creating clusters of research facilities to help foster innovation in cities such as Boston, San Francisco, New York, San Diego, and Seattle.
NYSE: SPG
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The bottom line
Whether you're looking for more warehousing, retail, or office exposure, there are plenty of opportunities to add stable real estate investments to your portfolio.
As a commercial real estate stock investor, you can do a lot more than simply invest in a place for someone to live. From real estate groups that lease exclusively to biotech to warehouse REITs that move e-commerce closer to home, there are plenty of opportunities to invest in commercial real estate stocks.
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