Malls getting mauled, but there's money to be made

New York

REAL estate funds, market stars since the financial crisis ended in 2009, have faltered, dragged down by the closing of big stores at malls across the United States.

The unanswered question now is whether investors in malls can successfully adjust to a threatening environment.

Real estate mutual funds and exchange-traded funds hold real estate investment trusts (Reits) tha…