DTRE vs. NETL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DTRE (First Trust Alerian Disruptive Technology Real Estate ETF) and NETL (NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF) are both REIT funds - DTRE tracks the Alerian Disruptive Technology Real Estate Index - Benchmark TR Net while NETL tracks the Fundamental Income Net Lease Real Estate Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, DTRE returned -1.51%/yr vs 1.33%/yr for NETL. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. Both charge a 0.60% expense ratio.

Performance

DTRE vs. NETL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in First Trust Alerian Disruptive Technology Real Estate ETF (DTRE) and NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF (NETL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DTRE achieves a 6.06% return, which is significantly lower than NETL's 10.34% return.

DTRE

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: -0.63%
• YTD: 6.06%
• 6M: 7.52%
• 1Y: 8.38%
• 3Y*: 4.60%
• 5Y*: -1.51%
• 10Y*: 2.38%

NETL

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: -1.07%
• YTD: 10.34%
• 6M: 9.20%
• 1Y: 11.59%
• 3Y*: 7.12%
• 5Y*: 1.33%
• 10Y*: —

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

DTRE vs. NETL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
DTRE First Trust Alerian Disruptive Technology Real Estate ETF	6.06%	8.32%	-9.71%	13.89%	-26.53%	27.43%	-8.81%	7.52%
NETL NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF	10.34%	6.05%	-1.08%	2.69%	-16.16%	27.36%	-0.73%	13.15%

Correlation

The correlation between DTRE and NETL is 0.67, 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	0.67
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.78
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.79
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2019	0.80

The correlation between DTRE and NETL shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (1 year) to 0.80 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

DTRE vs. NETL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	DTRE	NETL
Real Estate	100.0%	100.0%
Basic Materials	-	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Technology	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

DTRE vs. NETL — Risk / Return Rank

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

DTRE

DTRE Risk / Return Rank: 20
DTRE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
DTRE Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
DTRE Omega Ratio Rank: 19
DTRE Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
DTRE Martin Ratio Rank: 22

NETL

NETL Risk / Return Rank: 25
NETL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
NETL Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
NETL Omega Ratio Rank: 22
NETL Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
NETL Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

DTRE vs. NETL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust Alerian Disruptive Technology Real Estate ETF (DTRE) and NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF (NETL). 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.

	DTRE	NETL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.63	0.86	-0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.97	1.26	-0.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.15	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.88	1.27	-0.39
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.63	3.99	-1.36
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DTRE vs. NETL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DTRE Sharpe Ratio is 0.63, which is comparable to the NETL Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DTRE and NETL, 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

	DTRE	NETL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.63	0.86	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.08	0.07	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.13	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.10	0.20	-0.10

Drawdowns

DTRE vs. NETL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DTRE drawdown since its inception was -72.26%, which is greater than NETL's maximum drawdown of -51.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DTRE and NETL.

Drawdown Indicators

	DTRE	NETL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-72.26%	-51.48%	-20.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.61%	-9.16%	-0.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.65%	-19.30%	-1.35%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.62%	-30.74%	-3.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.79%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.21%	-3.68%	-9.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.89%	-11.65%	-5.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.19%	2.91%	+0.28%

Volatility

DTRE vs. NETL - Volatility Comparison

First Trust Alerian Disruptive Technology Real Estate ETF (DTRE) has a higher volatility of 3.92% compared to NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF (NETL) at 3.66%. This indicates that DTRE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NETL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DTRE	NETL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.92%	3.66%	+0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.86%	9.66%	+0.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.39%	13.57%	-0.18%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.11%	17.94%	+0.17%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.53%	25.92%	-7.39%

DTRE vs. NETL - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both DTRE and NETL have an expense ratio of 0.60%.

Dividends

DTRE vs. NETL - Dividend Comparison

DTRE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.39%, less than NETL's 4.83% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DTRE First Trust Alerian Disruptive Technology Real Estate ETF	3.39%	3.42%	3.75%	2.56%	2.49%	2.64%	0.79%	4.97%	3.38%	3.07%	4.16%	1.74%
NETL NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF	4.83%	5.12%	5.08%	4.57%	4.47%	4.03%	3.98%	2.52%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DTRE and NETL in my portfolio?

DTRE and NETL have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, DTRE or NETL?

DTRE has higher volatility (3.92%) compared to NETL (3.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, DTRE dropped -72.26% vs NETL's -51.48%.

Which ETF is better, DTRE or NETL?

On 5-year performance, NETL leads with 1.33% vs -1.51% for DTRE. Both ETFs have the same 0.60% expense ratio. On volatility, NETL has been the lower-risk option at 3.66%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, DTRE or NETL?

Over the 5-year period, NETL has performed better with a 1.33% return vs -1.51%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, DTRE or NETL?

DTRE and NETL have the same expense ratio: 0.60% per year.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, DTRE or NETL?

NETL has the higher dividend yield at 4.83%, compared with 3.39% for DTRE.

What is the main difference between DTRE and NETL?

DTRE tracks Alerian Disruptive Technology Real Estate Index - Benchmark TR Net, while NETL tracks Fundamental Income Net Lease Real Estate Index. They also come from different issuers: First Trust and Exchange Traded Concepts.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NETL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.86 vs 0.63), 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.