FRI vs. VNQ
Compare and contrast key facts about First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund (FRI) and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ).
FRI and VNQ are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. FRI is a passively managed fund by First Trust that tracks the performance of the S&P United States REIT. It was launched on May 8, 2007. VNQ is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the MSCI US REIT Index. It was launched on Sep 23, 2004. Both FRI and VNQ are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.
Scroll down to visually compare performance, riskiness, drawdowns, and other indicators and decide which better suits your portfolio: FRI or VNQ.
Key characteristics
| FRI | VNQ | |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -7.03% | -8.50% |
| 1Y Return | 3.47% | 1.56% |
| 3Y Return (Ann) | -0.87% | -2.98% |
| 5Y Return (Ann) | 2.25% | 2.16% |
| 10Y Return (Ann) | 4.92% | 5.11% |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.30 | 0.20 |
| Daily Std Dev | 18.58% | 18.93% |
| Max Drawdown | -71.95% | -73.07% |
| Current Drawdown | -20.62% | -24.53% |
Correlation
The correlation between FRI and VNQ is 0.91, 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.
Performance
FRI vs. VNQ - Performance Comparison
In the year-to-date period, FRI achieves a -7.03% return, which is significantly higher than VNQ's -8.50% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with FRI having a 4.92% annualized return and VNQ not far ahead at 5.11%. The chart below displays the growth of a $10,000 investment in both assets, with all prices adjusted for splits and dividends.
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FRI vs. VNQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
FRI has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VNQ's 0.12% expense ratio.
Risk-Adjusted Performance
FRI vs. VNQ - Risk-Adjusted Performance Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund (FRI) and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ). 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.
Dividends
FRI vs. VNQ - Dividend Comparison
FRI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.95%, less than VNQ's 4.31% yield.
| TTM | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FRI First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund | 2.95% | 3.24% | 2.52% | 1.44% | 3.08% | 2.28% | 3.21% | 2.82% | 3.27% | 2.66% | 2.07% | 3.10% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 4.31% | 3.95% | 3.91% | 2.56% | 3.93% | 3.39% | 4.74% | 4.23% | 4.82% | 3.92% | 3.60% | 4.32% |
Drawdowns
FRI vs. VNQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum FRI drawdown since its inception was -71.95%, roughly equal to the maximum VNQ drawdown of -73.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FRI and VNQ. For additional features, visit the drawdowns tool.
Volatility
FRI vs. VNQ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund (FRI) is 5.61%, while Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) has a volatility of 5.92%. This indicates that FRI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VNQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.