DFREX vs. FREL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFREX (DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I) and FREL (Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF) are both REIT funds. Over the past 10 years, DFREX returned 5.71%/yr vs 5.67%/yr for FREL. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. DFREX charges 0.18%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for FREL.

Performance

DFREX vs. FREL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I (DFREX) and Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFREX achieves a 11.42% return, which is significantly higher than FREL's 7.59% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with DFREX having a 5.71% annualized return and FREL not far behind at 5.67%.

DFREX

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: -0.45%
• YTD: 11.42%
• 6M: 10.51%
• 1Y: 11.39%
• 3Y*: 9.79%
• 5Y*: 3.06%
• 10Y*: 5.71%

FREL

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -1.00%
• YTD: 7.59%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: 9.81%
• 3Y*: 9.05%
• 5Y*: 2.09%
• 10Y*: 5.67%

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

DFREX vs. FREL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
DFREX DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I	11.42%	1.52%	5.52%	11.20%	-24.93%	41.88%	-5.03%	28.12%	-3.01%	4.25%
FREL Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF	7.59%	3.09%	5.05%	11.74%	-26.21%	40.46%	-4.99%	28.78%	-4.52%	8.86%

Correlation

The correlation between DFREX and FREL is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.99
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.99
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 6, 2015	0.98

The correlation between DFREX and FREL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFREX vs. FREL — Risk / Return Rank

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

DFREX

DFREX Risk / Return Rank: 12
DFREX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
DFREX Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
DFREX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
DFREX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
DFREX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

FREL

FREL Risk / Return Rank: 22
FREL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
FREL Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
FREL Omega Ratio Rank: 20
FREL Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
FREL Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

DFREX vs. FREL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I (DFREX) 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.

	DFREX	FREL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.85	0.75	+0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.21	1.10	+0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.14	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.32	1.17	+0.15
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.10	3.67	+0.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFREX vs. FREL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFREX Sharpe Ratio is 0.85, which is comparable to the FREL Sharpe Ratio of 0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFREX and FREL, 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

	DFREX	FREL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85	0.75	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17	0.11	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28	0.28	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.25	+0.12

Drawdowns

DFREX vs. FREL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFREX drawdown since its inception was -74.36%, which is greater than FREL's maximum drawdown of -42.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFREX and FREL.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFREX	FREL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.36%	-42.61%	-31.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.40%	-8.45%	+0.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.64%	-17.54%	-0.10%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.11%	-34.40%	+1.29%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.49%	-42.61%	+1.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.91%	-3.93%	+1.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.34%	-9.95%	-1.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.69%	2.68%	+0.01%

Volatility

DFREX vs. FREL - Volatility Comparison

DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I (DFREX) and Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL) have volatilities of 3.79% and 3.75%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	DFREX	FREL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.79%	3.75%	+0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.51%	9.27%	+0.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.07%	13.17%	-0.10%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.69%	18.84%	-0.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.30%	20.67%	-0.37%

DFREX vs. FREL - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFREX has a 0.18% expense ratio, which is higher than FREL's 0.08% 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

DFREX vs. FREL - Dividend Comparison

DFREX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.60%, less than FREL's 3.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFREX DFA Real Estate Securities Portfolio Class I	2.60%	2.84%	2.97%	3.59%	6.24%	2.56%	3.36%	2.23%	4.88%	1.89%	2.83%	2.86%
FREL Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF	3.34%	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

Can I hold both DFREX and FREL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, DFREX 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.

Which is riskier, DFREX or FREL?

DFREX has higher volatility (3.79%) compared to FREL (3.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DFREX dropped -74.36% vs FREL's -42.61%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFREX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.85 vs 0.75), 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.