Ventas Becomes First S&P 500 REIT Signatory to the United Nations Global Compact

02/21/2020 | by

Ventas, Inc. (NYSE: VTR) has become the first S&P 500 REIT to sign the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), signifying a commitment to align company strategies and operations with universal principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.

Ventas also signed the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), a set of guidelines established jointly by the UNGC and United Nations Women to offer guidance and foster business practices to empower and advance women at work.

“As an organization built on a foundation of ethics and integrity, Ventas is honored to join other global leaders as signatories to the principles of the UNGC and WEPs,” said Debra Cafaro, Ventas chairman and CEO.

“Our support of these United Nations programs underscores the actions the company has already taken and demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement in all areas of responsible and ethical business practices,” Cafaro added.

Ventas is an S&P 500 company with a portfolio of approximately 1,200 assets in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

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What's a REIT?

REITs, or real estate investment trusts, are companies that own or finance income-producing real estate across a range of property sectors. These real estate companies have to meet a number of requirements to qualify as REITs. Most REITs trade on major stock exchanges, and they offer a number of benefits to investors.

Why Invest in REITs

REITs historically have delivered competitive total returns, based on high, steady dividend income and long-term capital appreciation. Their comparatively low correlation with other assets also makes them an excellent portfolio diversifier that can help reduce overall portfolio risk and increase returns. These are the characteristics of real estate investment.

About Nareit

Nareit serves as the worldwide representative voice for REITs and real estate companies with an interest in U.S. real estate. Nareit’s members are REITs and other real estate companies throughout the world that own, operate, and finance income-producing real estate, as well as those firms and individuals who advise, study, and service those businesses.