👉️ Tariffs: Trump Threatens a 50% Tariff on the EU 🌍️ 

👉️ Apple/Samsung: Trump Threatens a 25% Tariff on Apple and Samsung if Smartphones Aren’t Made In The U.S. 📱 

👉️ REITs for Millennials: Real Estate Income Without Owning Property 🏠️ 

Europe

On May 23, 2025, Donald Trump escalated trade tensions by threatening a 50% tariff on all European Union imports starting June 1, 2025.

This tariff targets luxury items, pharmaceuticals and other European goods.

The EU Commission withheld any comments, awaiting a call between EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic and U.S. trade official Jamieson Greer.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed hope that the threats would push the EU to negotiate.

Apple

He also proposed a 25% tariff on Apple and other smartphone makers like Samsung, for phones sold but not manufactured in the U.S., where no smartphone production currently exists.

Trump emphasized that Apple’s iPhones should be made in the U.S. rather than India or elsewhere.

No specific timeline was provided for the Apple tariff threat.

REITs for Millennials: Real Estate Income Without Owning Property

For Millennials, navigating a world of student debt and skyrocketing home prices can cause owning real estate to seem like a distant dream.

The responsibilities of being a landlord, fixing leaky faucets, changing lightbulbs, or just simply dealing with tenants, can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to balance your busy career and your personal life.

Fortunately for you, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) offer an alternative.

They allow you to invest in real estate, earn passive income and diversify your portfolio without ever picking up a hammer or a wrench.

In today’s newsletter we explore why REITs are ideal for Millennials, with a focus on high-performing REITs in data centers, logistics, and affordable housing, and also why they’re a smart addition to your financial strategy.

What Are REITs?

REITs are companies that own, operate, or finance income-producing real estate.

They pool investors money to purchase properties. These properties range from office buildings to warehouses, and they’re required to pay out most of their taxable income in the form of a dividend to people like you and I.

Since they are traded on major exchanges, REITs are accessible, liquid and require very low effort as an investment.

For Millennials who value flexibility and low-maintenance investments, REITs provide real estate exposure without the burdens of direct ownership.

Why REITs Appeal to Millennials

In todays society, Millennials face unique financial challenges:

• High housing costs

• Inflation

• Volatile job markets

Investing in traditional real estate demands significant capital and time, which many young adults lack, or just simply aren’t willing to do.

REITs solve this by offering:

• Low Entry Costs: You can buy REIT shares with as little as the price of one stock, or a fraction of a stock if your broker allows for it, unlike the hefty down payment you’d have to put down for a property.

• Passive Income: REITs are required to pay out at least 90% of their taxable income as dividends, providing steady cash flow to shareholders.

• Diversification: REITs have a low correlation with stocks and bonds, reducing portfolio volatility and helping you spread your risk.

• No Maintenance: Forget unclogging drains or chasing rent, the REIT handles all of the property management for you.

Top REITs for Millennials

Let’s dive into 3 REITs excelling in high-demand sectors:

• Data centres

• Logistics

• Affordable housing.

The great part about these 3 sectors is that they align with current economic trends such as digital transformation (data centres), e-commerce (logistics) and urbanization (affordable housing), making them vital to the long term growth of our economy.

Equinix $EQIX ( ▲ 1.55% ) – Data Centres

Equinix is a global leader in data center REITs, operating over 250 facilities that house the infrastructure powering the internet, cloud computing, and AI.

Equinix generates revenue primarily through leasing space within its data centers and by offering interconnection services that link companies directly and securely.

This service extends beyond just renting out physical space.

Equinix enables businesses to enhance performance by placing their operations in close proximity to partners and customers.

As businesses and consumers rely on data-driven services, demand for data centers has surged. Equinix’s strategic locations and interconnectivity services make it a cornerstone of the digital economy.

Performance: Equinix has consistently performed well, ranking among one of the top REITs over the past decade.

The stock has grown over 330% in 10 years, with dividends increasing annually, boasting a 5 year dividend CAGR of 12% and a 5 year EPS CAGR of 20%.

Why It’s Great for Millennials: The data center sector is future-proof and is fueled by unstoppable growing trends like 5G and machine learning. Equinix’s reliable dividends growth and capital appreciation make it a solid pick for young investors seeking growth and income.

Prologis $PLD ( ▲ 2.48% ) – Logistics

Prologis is the world’s largest logistics REIT, owning and managing warehouses and distribution centres that are critical to e-commerce giants like Amazon, for example.

With online shopping growing with every year that passes, Prologis benefits from the need for strategically located facilities to support deliveries.

Performance: Prologis has delivered steady returns, with a 10-year total return exceeding 250%. The company also boasts a 5 year net income CAGR of 17% and a 5 year dividend CAGR of 11.7%.

Why It’s Great for Millennials: E-commerce isn’t slowing down any time soon and Prologis is positioned to capitalize on this.

Its growing dividend provides investors with passive income, and its growth potential aligns with Millennials’ long term investment horizons.

AvalonBay Communities $AVB ( ▲ 1.73% ) – Affordable Housing

AvalonBay Communities develops and manages apartment communities, with a focus on affordable and workforce housing in high-cost urban areas.

As homeownership costs continue to rise, rental demand has remained relatively strong, more specifically among younger individuals who are transitioning from homeownership to more flexible options, like renting.

Performance: AvalonBay has a 10-year total return of around 70%. The stock boasts a 5 year net income CAGR of 6.6% and a 5 year EPS CAGR of 10.5%. The REIT has a portfolio of well-located properties that provides stable occupancy and rental growth.

Why It’s Great for Millennials: Affordable housing is the answer to a pressing social need, which resonates with Millennials’ values.

AvalonBay’s consistent dividends (though not much growth) and exposure to the rental market make it a dependable choice long term.

Why REITs Diversify Your Portfolio

Diversification is the investors key to managing risk, and REITs play a unique role.

Their performance is driven by real estate market dynamics, which often move independently of stocks and bonds.

For example, during stock market downturns, REITs like Prologis and AvalonBay can remain stable due to consistent demand for logistics and housing.

Over a 10-year period ending in 2023, equity REITs had a correlation of around 76% with the S&P 500, indicating a moderately positive relationship. However, REITs are generally more sensitive to changes in interest rates than other assets, so their performance can be impacted by that as well.

Getting Started with REITs

Investing in REITs is straightforward:

1. Open a Brokerage Account: Platforms like Robinhood, Fidelity, or Schwab make it easy to buy REITs.

2. Research REITs: Focus on sectors with growth potential, like data centres, logistics, or housing. Check performance metrics like dividend growth, total return, Funds From Operations (FFO), Adjusted Funds From Operations (AFFO), payout ratios, Net Asset Value, and Debt-to-EBITDA ratios.

3. Diversify: Spread your investments across multiple REITs to mitigate sector-specific risks.

4. Reinvest Dividends: Always remember to reinvest your dividends to enable the compounding effect.

Happy investing!

Alex (The Dividend Dominator)
Founder and CEO of Dividend Domination Inc.
Follow me on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn