BIREX vs. NGJFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

BIREX (BlackRock Real Estate Securities Fund) and NGJFX (Nuveen Global Real Estate Securities Fund) are both REIT funds. Over the past 5 years, BIREX returned 3.34%/yr vs 2.10%/yr for NGJFX. Their correlation of 0.92 suggests significant overlap in exposure. BIREX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for NGJFX.

Performance

BIREX vs. NGJFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in BlackRock Real Estate Securities Fund (BIREX) and Nuveen Global Real Estate Securities Fund (NGJFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BIREX achieves a 14.21% return, which is significantly higher than NGJFX's 8.68% return.

BIREX

• 1D: 1.08%
• 1M: -0.47%
• YTD: 14.21%
• 6M: 14.60%
• 1Y: 13.80%
• 3Y*: 11.90%
• 5Y*: 3.34%
• 10Y*: 6.43%

NGJFX

• 1D: 0.68%
• 1M: -0.48%
• YTD: 8.68%
• 6M: 9.02%
• 1Y: 11.10%
• 3Y*: 10.62%
• 5Y*: 2.10%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BIREX vs. NGJFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
BIREX BlackRock Real Estate Securities Fund	14.21%	3.08%	3.75%	13.57%	-27.58%	46.24%	-4.17%	27.75%	6.56%
NGJFX Nuveen Global Real Estate Securities Fund	8.68%	9.60%	0.77%	11.63%	-24.79%	28.68%	-0.94%	32.18%	0.17%

Correlation

The correlation between BIREX and NGJFX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2018	0.92

The correlation between BIREX and NGJFX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BIREX vs. NGJFX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BIREX

BIREX Risk / Return Rank: 22
BIREX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 18
BIREX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
BIREX Omega Ratio Rank: 18
BIREX Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
BIREX Martin Ratio Rank: 29

NGJFX

NGJFX Risk / Return Rank: 16
NGJFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
NGJFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
NGJFX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
NGJFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
NGJFX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BIREX vs. NGJFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Real Estate Securities Fund (BIREX) and Nuveen Global Real Estate Securities Fund (NGJFX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	BIREX	NGJFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.14	1.03	+0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.59	1.47	+0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.19	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.89	1.21	+0.67
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.18	4.45	+1.72

BIREX vs. NGJFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BIREX Sharpe Ratio is 1.14, which is comparable to the NGJFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.03. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BIREX and NGJFX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

BIREX vs. NGJFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BIREX drawdown since its inception was -41.92%, roughly equal to the maximum NGJFX drawdown of -40.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BIREX and NGJFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BIREX	NGJFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.92%	-40.37%	-1.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.16%	-10.34%	+2.18%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.05%	-17.50%	-0.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.76%	-32.80%	-1.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.92%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.75%	-2.09%	+0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.69%	-10.43%	+0.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.49%	2.81%	-0.32%

Volatility

BIREX vs. NGJFX - Volatility Comparison

BlackRock Real Estate Securities Fund (BIREX) has a higher volatility of 4.66% compared to Nuveen Global Real Estate Securities Fund (NGJFX) at 3.90%. This indicates that BIREX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NGJFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BIREX	NGJFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.66%	3.90%	+0.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.15%	9.35%	+0.80%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.55%	12.17%	+1.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.77%	15.99%	+2.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.93%	17.73%	+3.20%

BIREX vs. NGJFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BIREX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is lower than NGJFX's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

BIREX vs. NGJFX - Dividend Comparison

BIREX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.67%, less than NGJFX's 3.14% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BIREX BlackRock Real Estate Securities Fund	2.67%	2.98%	2.88%	2.87%	4.36%	1.63%	2.16%	1.93%	3.07%	9.88%	6.72%	6.75%
NGJFX Nuveen Global Real Estate Securities Fund	3.14%	3.33%	3.39%	3.04%	5.83%	12.94%	3.27%	12.80%	3.90%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BIREX and NGJFX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, BIREX and NGJFX 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.

Which is riskier, BIREX or NGJFX?

BIREX has higher volatility (4.66%) compared to NGJFX (3.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BIREX dropped -41.92% vs NGJFX's -40.37%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BIREX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.14 vs 1.03), 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.