FARCX vs. FREL
FARCX (Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund) and FREL (Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF) are both REIT funds. Over the past 10 years, FARCX returned 5.60%/yr vs 5.83%/yr for FREL. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. FARCX charges 0.97%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for FREL.
Performance
FARCX vs. FREL - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, FARCX achieves a 13.17% return, which is significantly higher than FREL's 10.01% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FARCX having a 5.60% annualized return and FREL not far ahead at 5.83%.
FARCX
- 1D
- 0.18%
- 1M
- -1.39%
- YTD
- 13.17%
- 6M
- 13.62%
- 1Y
- 15.50%
- 3Y*
- 9.60%
- 5Y*
- 4.23%
- 10Y*
- 5.60%
FREL
- 1D
- 0.96%
- 1M
- -0.29%
- YTD
- 10.01%
- 6M
- 10.30%
- 1Y
- 11.38%
- 3Y*
- 10.69%
- 5Y*
- 2.43%
- 10Y*
- 5.83%
FARCX vs. FREL - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FARCX Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund | 13.17% | 2.56% | 6.04% | 11.55% | -24.57% | 41.57% | -6.14% | 25.63% | -5.57% | 5.67% |
FREL Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF | 10.01% | 3.09% | 5.05% | 11.74% | -26.21% | 40.46% | -4.99% | 28.78% | -4.52% | 8.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between FARCX and FREL is 0.96 - 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 | 0.96 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.98 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 5, 2015 | 0.98 |
The correlation between FARCX and FREL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.96 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
FARCX vs. FREL — Risk / Return Rank
FARCX
FREL
FARCX vs. FREL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund (FARCX) 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.
| FARCX | FREL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.32 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.39 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.15 | +0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.98 | 1.35 | +0.62 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 6.38 | 4.23 | +2.14 |
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Drawdowns
FARCX vs. FREL - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FARCX drawdown since its inception was -70.62%, which is greater than FREL's maximum drawdown of -42.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FARCX and FREL.
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Drawdown Indicators
| FARCX | FREL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -70.62% | -42.61% | -28.01% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -7.83% | -8.45% | +0.62% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.59% | -17.54% | -0.05% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.77% | -34.40% | +2.63% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.05% | -42.61% | +1.56% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.63% | -2.12% | -0.51% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.44% | -9.91% | -0.53% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.42% | 2.70% | -0.28% |
Volatility
FARCX vs. FREL - Volatility Comparison
Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund (FARCX) and Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL) have volatilities of 4.93% and 4.96%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| FARCX | FREL | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.93% | 4.96% | -0.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.96% | 10.15% | -0.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.50% | 13.80% | -0.30% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.39% | 18.89% | -0.50% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.18% | 20.72% | -0.54% |
FARCX vs. FREL - Expense Ratio Comparison
FARCX has a 0.97% expense ratio, which is higher than FREL's 0.08% expense ratio.
Dividends
FARCX vs. FREL - Dividend Comparison
FARCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.15%, more than FREL's 3.32% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FARCX Nuveen Real Estate Securities Fund | 5.15% | 5.77% | 9.34% | 3.30% | 20.25% | 15.12% | 2.89% | 11.46% | 6.19% | 13.43% | 10.99% | 8.24% |
FREL Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF | 3.32% | 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 0.96, FARCX 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 (4.96%) compared to FARCX (4.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FARCX dropped -70.62% vs FREL's -42.61%.
FARCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.15 vs 0.83), 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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