FREL vs. RWR

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL) and SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF (RWR).

FREL and RWR are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FREL is a passively managed fund by Fidelity that tracks the performance of the MSCI USA IMI Real Estate Index. It was launched on Feb 2, 2015. RWR is a passively managed fund by State Street that tracks the performance of the Dow Jones U.S. Select REIT Index. It was launched on Apr 23, 2001. Both FREL and RWR are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

FREL vs. RWR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL) and SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF (RWR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

FREL vs. RWR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FREL Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF	0.98%	3.09%	5.05%	11.74%	-26.21%	40.46%	-4.99%	28.78%	-4.52%	8.86%
RWR SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF	3.43%	3.20%	7.74%	13.76%	-26.09%	45.47%	-11.40%	22.71%	-4.47%	3.47%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FREL achieves a 0.98% return, which is significantly lower than RWR's 3.43% return. Over the past 10 years, FREL has outperformed RWR with an annualized return of 5.16%, while RWR has yielded a comparatively lower 4.36% annualized return.

FREL

• 1D: 1.43%
• 1M: -6.56%
• YTD: 0.98%
• 6M: -1.57%
• 1Y: 1.45%
• 3Y*: 6.30%
• 5Y*: 2.68%
• 10Y*: 5.16%

RWR

• 1D: 1.38%
• 1M: -6.06%
• YTD: 3.43%
• 6M: 2.55%
• 1Y: 5.80%
• 3Y*: 8.43%
• 5Y*: 4.58%
• 10Y*: 4.36%

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

FREL vs. RWR - Expense Ratio Comparison

FREL has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than RWR's 0.25% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

RWR

SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF

FREL

Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF

Return for Risk

FREL vs. RWR — Risk / Return Rank

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

FREL

FREL Risk / Return Rank: 16
FREL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 15
FREL Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
FREL Omega Ratio Rank: 14
FREL Calmar Ratio Rank: 17
FREL Martin Ratio Rank: 18

RWR

RWR Risk / Return Rank: 24
RWR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
RWR Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
RWR Omega Ratio Rank: 22
RWR Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
RWR Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

FREL vs. RWR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL) and SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF (RWR). 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.

	FREL	RWR	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.09	0.34	-0.25
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.24	0.58	-0.35
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.08	-0.05
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.20	0.50	-0.30
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.77	2.14	-1.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FREL vs. RWR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FREL Sharpe Ratio is 0.09, which is lower than the RWR Sharpe Ratio of 0.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FREL and RWR, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FREL	RWR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.09	0.34	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.14	0.24	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25	0.20	+0.05
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.23	0.30	-0.07

Correlation

The correlation between FREL and RWR is 0.97, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

FREL vs. RWR - Dividend Comparison

FREL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.56%, less than RWR's 3.69% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FREL Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF	3.56%	3.59%	3.48%	3.73%	3.57%	2.34%	3.77%	3.32%	5.54%	3.27%	4.01%	3.80%
RWR SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF	3.69%	3.78%	3.76%	3.75%	3.81%	2.79%	3.73%	3.36%	4.19%	3.05%	4.39%	3.17%

Drawdowns

FREL vs. RWR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FREL drawdown since its inception was -42.61%, smaller than the maximum RWR drawdown of -74.92%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FREL and RWR.

Drawdown Indicators

	FREL	RWR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.61%	-74.92%	+32.31%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.42%	-13.42%	+1.00%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.40%	-32.58%	-1.82%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.61%	-44.39%	+1.78%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-9.83%	-6.44%	-3.39%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.05%	-13.19%	+3.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.19%	3.13%	+0.06%

Volatility

FREL vs. RWR - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL) and SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF (RWR) have volatilities of 4.55% and 4.57%, 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

	FREL	RWR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.55%	4.57%	-0.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.29%	9.27%	+0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.41%	17.01%	-0.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.85%	19.03%	-0.18%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.67%	21.51%	-0.84%