What this ETF is trying to do

The VanEck Office and Commercial REIT ETF (DESK) invests in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). These are companies that own and manage commercial properties, such as office buildings. By buying this ETF, an investor is getting exposure to a group of these real estate companies rather than just one.

What the numbers show

As of October 2, 2026, the share price was $37.17. To understand how the price has changed, we look at two different types of returns:

• Price Return: This measures only the change in the share price. The one-year price return was -11.39%. The year-to-date (YTD) price return was 1.25%, and the three-year price return was 17.21%.

• Total Return: This reflects the overall return, including cash distributions. The one-year total return was -6.57%. The YTD total return was 5.45%, and the three-year total return was 35.79%.

For example, if you had invested $10,000 based on the estimated price from roughly one year ago ($41.95), the price-only decline of -11.39% would mean your shares were worth approximately $8,861 before considering any cash distributions.

Income and distribution explanation

This ETF pays out cash to investors, usually every quarter. It has a distribution yield of approximately 5.16%.

It is important for beginners to know that a high distribution yield alone can be misleading. While these payments provide cash income, they do not guarantee that the original money you invested (the principal) will stay the same or grow.

NAV Erosion explanation

"NAV erosion" happens when the value of the assets inside an ETF declines over time. StockValueFinder uses an erosion-risk score to measure this. This ETF has an erosion score of 75, which is labeled as "Mild price erosion." This is a measurement of risk, not a guarantee that the fund's value has collapsed.

Top Holdings

The ETF holds 26 different assets. As of October 5, 2026, the top holdings included:

• BXP Inc: 10.35%

• Cousins Properties Inc: 10.14%

• Vornado Realty Trust: 9.60%

• SL Green Realty Corp: 8.40%

• Kilroy Realty Corp: 7.63%

These holdings can change over time.

Pros

• Provides a way to invest in many commercial real estate companies at once.

• Has shown positive total returns over the three-year period.

• Provides regular quarterly cash distributions.

Cons

• The share price has declined over the last year.

• It has a "mild" erosion-risk score.

• The income rating grade is a "D."

Beginner takeaway

This ETF allows you to own a piece of many commercial office properties. While it pays a regular distribution yield, the share price has been volatile over the last year. Income investors generally care about principal stability, meaning they want their initial investment to stay steady even while they collect cash payments.