What Is the BLDG ETF? A Complete Guide to Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs
The Cambria Global Real Estate ETF (BLDG) is an actively managed fund that diversifies across REITs and real estate companies worldwide. Its defining features are global real estate exposure and quarterly dividends, and its strategy differences from funds such as REET and VNQI are the key selection criteria.
SubscribeWhat Is the Cambria Global Real Estate ETF?
This is an actively managed ETF that invests in real estate securities worldwide, using a multi-factor algorithm to select REITs and real estate development and management companies. It includes both US and international real estate to pursue global diversification.
It suits investors who want to diversify across global real estate and seek both dividend income and capital growth.
The ETF is run by Cambria Investment Management using an active management approach.
How Does the Cambria Global Real Estate ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Management style | Active (multi-factor selection) |
| Investment target | Global REITs and real estate companies |
| Rebalancing frequency | Regular rebalancing |
| Dividend frequency | Quarterly dividends |
| Fund manager | Cambria Investment Management |
| Expense ratio | 0.59% |
The fund selects global real estate stocks with Cambria's proprietary algorithm, which uses multi-factor indicators such as value, quality, and momentum. It holds a substantial share of non-US markets and weights holdings in a way that is close to equal weighting, which eases concentration in any single stock.
- Active selection based on a multi-factor algorithm
- Global diversification spanning US and international real estate
Cambria Global Real Estate ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fee)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $52.0M, and the expense ratio is 0.59% per year.
Unlike passive real estate ETFs that simply track an index, this fund applies an active selection approach, which is its differentiating factor.
Cambria Global Real Estate ETF Performance and Trends
1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
52-Week Price RangeGiven the nature of the real estate sector, return trends tend to depend on the direction of interest rates, rental demand, and conditions in commercial real estate. Because of its global diversification structure, region-specific risk is partly mitigated.
Fund flows vary with demand for real estate exposure and dividends, and performance can diverge in phases when changes in the interest rate environment affect investor sentiment across real estate assets.
Cambria Global Real Estate ETF Strengths and Weaknesses
Global real estate diversification and active selection are its strengths, while its relatively small asset base and interest rate sensitivity are points to watch.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
Cambria Global Real Estate ETF Alternative ETFs and Related Products
For global real estate exposure, broad global REIT ETFs such as REET, VNQI, and RWO shown in the table are the main comparison candidates. They differ from the actively selected BLDG in that they are passive and track an index. Investors who want to focus on US real estate can also consider VNQ, and those who want low-cost core real estate exposure can look at SCHH.
Peer Comparison ETFs| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 REET | iShares Global REIT ETF | $26.72 | +0.1% | $4.8B | 0.14% | 3.48% | +5.9% |
 DFGR | Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF | $28.31 | +0.0% | $3.9B | 0.22% | 3.92% | +5.2% |
 VNQI | Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF | $42.94 | -0.1% | $3.3B | 0.12% | 5.02% | -8.5% |
 RWO | State Street SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF | $48.31 | +0.4% | $1.3B | 0.50% | 3.37% | +7.2% |
 HAUZ | Xtrackers International Real Estate ETF | $21.52 | -0.6% | $1.1B | 0.10% | 3.79% | -7.0% |
Top Holdings| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 FAF | First American Financial Corp | 0.04% | $64.97 | -1.8% | $6.6B | 9.2 | 3.57% |
 HPP | Hudson Pacific Properties Inc | 0.02% | $9.87 | +0.0% | $547.6M | - | 0.76% |
 CLDT | Chatham Lodging Trust | 0.02% | $15.02 | +0.1% | $699.4M | 195.6 | 2.64% |
 HIW | Highwoods Properties Inc | 0.02% | $30.81 | -1.6% | $3.4B | 18.6 | 6.49% |
 PDM | Piedmont Realty Trust Inc | 0.03% | $9.56 | -2.1% | $1.2B | - | - |
 KRC | Kilroy Realty Corp | 0.02% | $36.03 | -1.3% | $4.2B | 148.9 | 6% |
 DRH | Diamondrock Hospitality Co | 0.02% | $14.52 | +0.0% | $3.0B | 20.1 | 2.85% |
 LXP | LXP Industrial Trust | 0.02% | $61.18 | +0.0% | $3.6B | 31.6 | 4.63% |
Cambria Global Real Estate ETF Investor Checkpoints
Here are the points to review before investing in BLDG. Global real estate exposure and quarterly dividends are its defining features, but interest rate sensitivity, fund size, and currency exposure are items to confirm in advance.
| Checkpoint | What to Check | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| 💵 Expense ratio | Check the cumulative cost impact over a long holding period | Annual fee applies |
| 🏢 Real estate exposure | Weighting of global REITs and real estate companies | Globally diversified structure |
| 📈 Interest rate environment | How the direction of interest rates affects real estate assets | Needs checking |
| 💱 Exchange rate | Impact of won conversion given the international weighting | No currency hedge applied |
The main points to note are the potential weakness of real estate assets when interest rates rise and the liquidity burden that comes with a relatively small asset base. Because of its international weighting, exchange rate movements also affect returns.
It is a choice worth considering for investors who want to diversify across global real estate with an active approach while also seeking a dividend stream. If you prefer passive global REIT exposure, it is advisable to compare it with REET and VNQI before deciding.
SubscribeDisclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of July 2, 2026.
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