REITs Are Among Few Stocks That Are Up In 2008

What's working in this market?

For income investors, "working" has a low bar. They want a dividend and modest capital appreciation.

With that in mind, IBD ran a screen for stocks that are up at least 2% year to date, have a dividend yield of 2.6% or higher, a Composite Rating of 85 or better, a stock price of $12 or greater, and average daily trading volume of at least 400,000 shares.

Quite a few real estate investment trusts, or REITs, popped up. Here are a few.

Omega Healthcare OHI invests in health care facilities. The dividend yield is 6.4%; payout ratio on projected 2008 funds from operations, 80%; Composite Rating, 87. It met views in the most recent quarter. The share price is up about 12% year to date.

Extra Space Storage EXR operates self-storage facilities in 34 states. The dividend yield is 5.9%; payout ratio, 84%; Composite Rating, 91. It met views in the past quarter. The share price is up 19% year to date.

BioMed Realty Trust BMR owns, leases and manages office and laboratory space. The dividend yield is 5.6%; payout ratio, 69%; Composite Rating, 88. It beat views in the past quarter. The share price is up 4% year to date.

Home Properties HME owns and operates apartment communities in 10 states. The dividend yield is 5.2%; payout ratio, 78%; Composite Rating, 85. It missed views in the past quarter. The share price is up 14% year to date.

Nationwide Health Properties NHP invests in senior housing, health care facilities and medical office buildings in 43 states. The dividend yield is 5.1%; payout ratio, 79%; Composite Rating, 95. It beat earnings expectations in the past quarter. The share price is up 10% year to date.