BIRDX vs. VNQ
BIRDX (iShares Developed Real Estate Index Fund) and VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) are both REIT funds. Over the past 10 years, BIRDX returned 3.55%/yr vs 5.47%/yr for VNQ. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BIRDX charges 0.19%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VNQ.
Performance
BIRDX vs. VNQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BIRDX achieves a 6.90% return, which is significantly lower than VNQ's 9.76% return. Over the past 10 years, BIRDX has underperformed VNQ with an annualized return of 3.55%, while VNQ has yielded a comparatively higher 5.47% annualized return.
BIRDX
- 1D
- -0.35%
- 1M
- -2.37%
- YTD
- 6.90%
- 6M
- 7.13%
- 1Y
- 11.60%
- 3Y*
- 9.40%
- 5Y*
- 1.46%
- 10Y*
- 3.55%
VNQ
- 1D
- 1.79%
- 1M
- 0.36%
- YTD
- 9.76%
- 6M
- 8.93%
- 1Y
- 11.63%
- 3Y*
- 10.05%
- 5Y*
- 2.54%
- 10Y*
- 5.47%
BIRDX vs. VNQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIRDX iShares Developed Real Estate Index Fund | 6.90% | 10.27% | 1.49% | 10.38% | -24.68% | 26.90% | -8.24% | 22.33% | -4.80% | 7.56% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 9.76% | 3.24% | 4.81% | 11.85% | -26.25% | 40.54% | -4.61% | 28.91% | -6.03% | 4.90% |
Correlation
The correlation between BIRDX and VNQ is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.93 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016 | 0.92 |
The correlation between BIRDX and VNQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.92 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
BIRDX vs. VNQ — Risk / Return Rank
BIRDX
VNQ
BIRDX vs. VNQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Developed Real Estate Index Fund (BIRDX) and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
| BIRDX | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.15 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.18 | 1.16 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.17 | 1.40 | -0.23 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.38 | 4.41 | -0.02 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BIRDX | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.99 | 0.88 | +0.11 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.08 | 0.14 | -0.06 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.19 | 0.27 | -0.08 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.22 | 0.27 | -0.05 |
Drawdowns
BIRDX vs. VNQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BIRDX drawdown since its inception was -43.03%, smaller than the maximum VNQ drawdown of -73.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIRDX and VNQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| BIRDX | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -43.03% | -73.07% | +30.04% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.04% | -8.34% | -1.70% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.40% | -17.46% | -9.94% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.54% | -34.48% | +1.94% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -43.03% | -42.40% | -0.63% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.64% | -2.03% | -4.61% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.85% | -13.63% | +2.78% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.68% | 2.64% | +0.04% |
Volatility
BIRDX vs. VNQ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Developed Real Estate Index Fund (BIRDX) is 3.62%, while Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) has a volatility of 4.14%. This indicates that BIRDX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VNQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| BIRDX | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.62% | 4.14% | -0.52% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.92% | 9.41% | -0.49% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.87% | 13.27% | -1.40% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.27% | 18.82% | +0.45% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.09% | 20.70% | -1.61% |
BIRDX vs. VNQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
BIRDX has a 0.19% expense ratio, which is higher than VNQ's 0.13% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
BIRDX vs. VNQ - Dividend Comparison
BIRDX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.65%, more than VNQ's 3.63% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BIRDX iShares Developed Real Estate Index Fund | 6.65% | 6.84% | 23.69% | 2.99% | 1.24% | 4.18% | 1.91% | 6.67% | 4.18% | 1.70% | 2.24% | 0.00% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 3.63% | 3.92% | 3.85% | 3.95% | 3.91% | 2.56% | 3.93% | 3.39% | 4.74% | 4.23% | 4.82% | 3.92% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.92, BIRDX and VNQ move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.
VNQ has higher volatility (4.14%) compared to BIRDX (3.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIRDX dropped -43.03% vs VNQ's -73.07%.
BIRDX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.99 vs 0.88), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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