DESK vs. REAI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DESK (Vaneck Office And Commercial REIT ETF) and REAI (Intelligent Real Estate ETF) are both REIT funds. DESK is passively managed, while REAI is actively managed. Over the past year, DESK returned 2.26% vs 13.25% for REAI. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DESK charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for REAI.

Performance

DESK vs. REAI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vaneck Office And Commercial REIT ETF (DESK) and Intelligent Real Estate ETF (REAI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DESK achieves a 5.73% return, which is significantly lower than REAI's 13.24% return.

DESK

• 1D: -0.49%
• 1M: 6.07%
• YTD: 5.73%
• 6M: 1.92%
• 1Y: 2.26%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

REAI

• 1D: -0.80%
• 1M: -0.84%
• YTD: 13.24%
• 6M: 13.01%
• 1Y: 13.25%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

DESK vs. REAI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
DESK Vaneck Office And Commercial REIT ETF	5.73%	-10.42%	16.01%	18.89%
REAI Intelligent Real Estate ETF	13.24%	-6.08%	8.00%	8.41%

Correlation

The correlation between DESK and REAI is 0.59, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 2023	0.77

The correlation between DESK and REAI shifts across timeframes, from 0.59 (1 year) to 0.77 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DESK vs. REAI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DESK	REAI
Real Estate	100.0%	97.9%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	1.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Technology	-	2.1%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

DESK vs. REAI — Risk / Return Rank

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

DESK

DESK Risk / Return Rank: 10
DESK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
DESK Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
DESK Omega Ratio Rank: 10
DESK Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
DESK Martin Ratio Rank: 10

REAI

REAI Risk / Return Rank: 25
REAI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
REAI Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
REAI Omega Ratio Rank: 24
REAI Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
REAI Martin Ratio Rank: 24

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.

DESK vs. REAI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vaneck Office And Commercial REIT ETF (DESK) and Intelligent Real Estate ETF (REAI). 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.

	DESK	REAI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.11	0.86	-0.75
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.30	1.26	-0.96
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.16	-0.12
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.09	1.20	-1.11
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.19	3.08	-2.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DESK vs. REAI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DESK Sharpe Ratio is 0.11, which is lower than the REAI Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DESK and REAI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DESK	REAI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.11	0.86	-0.75
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.41	0.29	+0.11

Drawdowns

DESK vs. REAI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DESK drawdown since its inception was -28.65%, which is greater than REAI's maximum drawdown of -22.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DESK and REAI.

Drawdown Indicators

	DESK	REAI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.65%	-22.29%	-6.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-25.09%	-11.08%	-14.01%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.46%	-3.62%	-9.84%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.04%	-7.30%	-3.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.82%	4.31%	+7.51%

Volatility

DESK vs. REAI - Volatility Comparison

Vaneck Office And Commercial REIT ETF (DESK) has a higher volatility of 5.71% compared to Intelligent Real Estate ETF (REAI) at 3.87%. This indicates that DESK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than REAI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DESK	REAI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.71%	3.87%	+1.84%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.45%	10.47%	+3.98%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.97%	15.39%	+4.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.68%	18.06%	+7.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.68%	18.06%	+7.62%

DESK vs. REAI - Expense Ratio Comparison

DESK has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than REAI's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

DESK vs. REAI - Dividend Comparison

DESK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.09%, more than REAI's 3.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
DESK Vaneck Office And Commercial REIT ETF	5.09%	5.15%	3.78%	1.73%
REAI Intelligent Real Estate ETF	3.27%	4.52%	3.34%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DESK and REAI in my portfolio?

DESK and REAI have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DESK or REAI?

DESK has higher volatility (5.71%) compared to REAI (3.87%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DESK dropped -28.65% vs REAI's -22.29%.

Which ETF is better, DESK or REAI?

On 1-year performance, REAI leads with 13.25% vs 2.26% for DESK. On fees, DESK is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, REAI has been the lower-risk option at 3.87%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DESK or REAI?

Over the 1-year period, REAI has performed better with a 13.25% return vs 2.26%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DESK or REAI?

DESK is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.59% for REAI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DESK or REAI?

DESK has the higher dividend yield at 5.09%, compared with 3.27% for REAI.

What is the main difference between DESK and REAI?

They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Armada ETF Advisors. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for DESK and 0.59% for REAI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

REAI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.86 vs 0.11), 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.