CRED vs. FREL
CRED (Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF) and FREL (Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF) are both REIT funds - CRED tracks the Beta Advantage Lionstone Research Enhanced REIT Index - Benchmark TR Gross while FREL tracks the MSCI USA IMI Real Estate Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, CRED returned 11.05%/yr vs 11.20%/yr for FREL. With a 0.95 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. CRED charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for FREL.
Performance
CRED vs. FREL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, CRED achieves a 16.23% return, which is significantly higher than FREL's 11.53% return.
CRED
- 1D
- 1.13%
- 1M
- 1.64%
- YTD
- 16.23%
- 6M
- 17.22%
- 1Y
- 10.72%
- 3Y*
- 11.05%
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
FREL
- 1D
- 1.38%
- 1M
- 1.09%
- YTD
- 11.53%
- 6M
- 11.94%
- 1Y
- 11.39%
- 3Y*
- 11.20%
- 5Y*
- 2.76%
- 10Y*
- 5.97%
CRED vs. FREL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CRED Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF | 16.23% | -2.30% | 5.21% | 12.70% |
FREL Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF | 11.53% | 3.09% | 5.05% | 12.35% |
Correlation
The correlation between CRED and FREL is 0.93, 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 | 0.93 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.95 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 26, 2023 | 0.95 |
The correlation between CRED and FREL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
CRED vs. FREL — Risk / Return Rank
CRED
FREL
CRED vs. FREL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF (CRED) and Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL). 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.
| CRED | FREL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.05 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.15 | 1.15 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.29 | 1.35 | -0.06 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.92 | 4.23 | -1.32 |
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Drawdowns
CRED vs. FREL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum CRED drawdown since its inception was -17.59%, smaller than the maximum FREL drawdown of -42.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CRED and FREL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| CRED | FREL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.59% | -42.61% | +25.02% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.32% | -8.45% | +0.13% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.59% | -17.54% | -0.05% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -34.40% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -42.61% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.13% | -0.77% | +0.64% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -5.56% | -9.91% | +4.35% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.68% | 2.70% | +0.98% |
Volatility
CRED vs. FREL - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF (CRED) is 4.80%, while Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL) has a volatility of 5.15%. This indicates that CRED experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FREL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| CRED | FREL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.80% | 5.15% | -0.35% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.04% | 10.21% | -0.17% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.36% | 13.84% | -0.48% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.28% | 18.90% | -2.62% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.28% | 20.72% | -4.44% |
CRED vs. FREL - Expense Ratio Comparison
CRED has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than FREL's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
CRED vs. FREL - Dividend Comparison
CRED's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.38%, more than FREL's 3.28% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CRED Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF | 4.38% | 5.50% | 4.82% | 2.72% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
FREL Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF | 3.28% | 3.59% | 3.48% | 3.73% | 3.57% | 2.34% | 3.77% | 3.32% | 5.54% | 3.27% | 4.01% | 3.80% |
Frequently Asked Questions
With a correlation of 0.93, CRED and FREL 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.
FREL has higher volatility (5.15%) compared to CRED (4.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CRED dropped -17.59% vs FREL's -42.61%.
On 3-year performance, FREL leads with 11.20% vs 11.05% for CRED. On fees, FREL is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, CRED has been the lower-risk option at 4.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 3-year period, FREL has performed better with a 11.20% return vs 11.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
FREL is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.33% for CRED.
CRED has the higher dividend yield at 4.38%, compared with 3.28% for FREL.
CRED tracks Beta Advantage Lionstone Research Enhanced REIT Index - Benchmark TR Gross, while FREL tracks MSCI USA IMI Real Estate Index. They also come from different issuers: Columbia and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for CRED and 0.08% for FREL.
FREL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.83 vs 0.81), 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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