BME vs. VNQ
BME (BlackRock Health Sciences Trust) is a stock, while VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) is REIT fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, BME returned 7.63%/yr vs 5.21%/yr for VNQ. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
BME vs. VNQ - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, BME achieves a -1.54% return, which is significantly lower than VNQ's 7.83% return. Over the past 10 years, BME has outperformed VNQ with an annualized return of 7.63%, while VNQ has yielded a comparatively lower 5.21% annualized return.
BME
- 1D
- -0.31%
- 1M
- 0.87%
- YTD
- -1.54%
- 6M
- -0.16%
- 1Y
- 17.61%
- 3Y*
- 6.51%
- 5Y*
- 3.05%
- 10Y*
- 7.63%
VNQ
- 1D
- -0.12%
- 1M
- -1.10%
- YTD
- 7.83%
- 6M
- 6.75%
- 1Y
- 9.97%
- 3Y*
- 9.15%
- 5Y*
- 2.18%
- 10Y*
- 5.21%
BME vs. VNQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BME BlackRock Health Sciences Trust | -1.54% | 17.87% | -0.08% | -1.08% | -4.62% | 7.25% | 18.64% | 24.04% | 6.38% | 23.10% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 7.83% | 3.24% | 4.81% | 11.85% | -26.25% | 40.54% | -4.61% | 28.91% | -6.03% | 4.90% |
Correlation
The correlation between BME and VNQ is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.46 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.48 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 30, 2005 | 0.36 |
The correlation between BME and VNQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.36 (all time) to 0.48 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
BME vs. VNQ — Risk / Return Rank
BME
VNQ
BME vs. VNQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME) 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.
| BME | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.64 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.89 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.14 | +0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.60 | 1.20 | +0.40 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.97 | 3.78 | +1.19 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| BME | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.40 | 0.76 | +0.64 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.20 | 0.12 | +0.09 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.39 | 0.25 | +0.13 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.51 | 0.26 | +0.25 |
Drawdowns
BME vs. VNQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum BME drawdown since its inception was -42.03%, smaller than the maximum VNQ drawdown of -73.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BME and VNQ.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| BME | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -42.03% | -73.07% | +31.04% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.03% | -8.34% | -2.69% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.38% | -17.46% | +3.08% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -18.26% | -34.48% | +16.22% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -36.65% | -42.40% | +5.75% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -6.17% | -3.75% | -2.42% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -6.28% | -13.63% | +7.35% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.55% | 2.64% | +0.91% |
Volatility
BME vs. VNQ - Volatility Comparison
BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME) and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) have volatilities of 3.81% and 3.72%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| BME | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.81% | 3.72% | +0.09% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.95% | 9.26% | +0.69% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.60% | 13.16% | -0.56% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.12% | 18.80% | -3.68% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.88% | 20.70% | -0.82% |
Dividends
BME vs. VNQ - Dividend Comparison
BME's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.02%, more than VNQ's 3.69% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BME BlackRock Health Sciences Trust | 8.02% | 7.65% | 6.87% | 6.32% | 5.87% | 5.03% | 5.04% | 5.65% | 6.58% | 6.58% | 9.45% | 17.04% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 3.69% | 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
BME and VNQ have a correlation of 0.46, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
BME has higher volatility (3.81%) compared to VNQ (3.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BME dropped -42.03% vs VNQ's -73.07%.
BME currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.40 vs 0.76), 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.
Find the right allocation for BME and VNQ
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer