FTIEX vs. VNQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

FTIEX (Fidelity Total International Equity Fund) and VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) are both funds - FTIEX is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund managed by Fidelity, while VNQ is a REIT fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, FTIEX returned 10.83%/yr vs 5.21%/yr for VNQ. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. FTIEX charges 1.05%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VNQ.

Performance

FTIEX vs. VNQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fidelity Total International Equity Fund (FTIEX) and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FTIEX achieves a 14.71% return, which is significantly higher than VNQ's 7.83% return. Over the past 10 years, FTIEX has outperformed VNQ with an annualized return of 10.83%, while VNQ has yielded a comparatively lower 5.21% annualized return.

FTIEX

• 1D: 1.12%
• 1M: 5.76%
• YTD: 14.71%
• 6M: 17.55%
• 1Y: 31.90%
• 3Y*: 20.43%
• 5Y*: 9.33%
• 10Y*: 10.83%

VNQ

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -1.10%
• YTD: 7.83%
• 6M: 6.75%
• 1Y: 9.97%
• 3Y*: 9.15%
• 5Y*: 2.18%
• 10Y*: 5.21%

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

FTIEX vs. VNQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FTIEX Fidelity Total International Equity Fund	14.71%	32.46%	6.58%	16.31%	-17.03%	11.11%	17.91%	27.63%	-15.19%	28.22%
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF	7.83%	3.24%	4.81%	11.85%	-26.25%	40.54%	-4.61%	28.91%	-6.03%	4.90%

Correlation

The correlation between FTIEX and VNQ is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.50
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 5, 2007	0.55

The correlation between FTIEX and VNQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.44 (1 year) to 0.55 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

FTIEX vs. VNQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

FTIEX

FTIEX Risk / Return Rank: 51
FTIEX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 52
FTIEX Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
FTIEX Omega Ratio Rank: 51
FTIEX Calmar Ratio Rank: 50
FTIEX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

VNQ

VNQ Risk / Return Rank: 23
VNQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
VNQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
VNQ Omega Ratio Rank: 20
VNQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VNQ Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

FTIEX vs. VNQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fidelity Total International Equity Fund (FTIEX) 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.

	FTIEX	VNQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.13	0.76	+1.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.94	1.12	+1.83
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.39	1.14	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.69	1.20	+1.49
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.77	3.78	+6.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FTIEX vs. VNQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FTIEX Sharpe Ratio is 2.13, which is higher than the VNQ Sharpe Ratio of 0.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FTIEX and VNQ, 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

	FTIEX	VNQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.13	0.76	+1.36
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58	0.12	+0.46
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65	0.25	+0.39
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.26	-0.01

Drawdowns

FTIEX vs. VNQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FTIEX drawdown since its inception was -61.85%, smaller than the maximum VNQ drawdown of -73.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FTIEX and VNQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	FTIEX	VNQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-61.85%	-73.07%	+11.22%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.78%	-8.34%	-3.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.18%	-17.46%	+3.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.02%	-34.48%	+4.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.37%	-42.40%	+9.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-3.75%	+3.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.15%	-13.63%	+0.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.93%	2.64%	+0.29%

Volatility

FTIEX vs. VNQ - Volatility Comparison

Fidelity Total International Equity Fund (FTIEX) has a higher volatility of 5.63% compared to Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) at 3.72%. This indicates that FTIEX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VNQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FTIEX	VNQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.63%	3.72%	+1.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.72%	9.26%	+3.46%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.90%	13.16%	+1.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.18%	18.80%	-2.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.83%	20.70%	-3.87%

FTIEX vs. VNQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

FTIEX has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VNQ's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

FTIEX vs. VNQ - Dividend Comparison

FTIEX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.07%, less than VNQ's 3.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTIEX Fidelity Total International Equity Fund	1.07%	1.23%	1.57%	1.33%	1.07%	8.67%	2.46%	1.66%	1.00%	2.43%	1.47%	1.25%
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF	3.69%	3.92%	3.85%	3.95%	3.91%	2.56%	3.93%	3.39%	4.74%	4.23%	4.82%	3.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FTIEX and VNQ in my portfolio?

FTIEX and VNQ have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FTIEX or VNQ?

FTIEX has higher volatility (5.63%) compared to VNQ (3.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FTIEX dropped -61.85% vs VNQ's -73.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FTIEX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.13 vs 0.76), 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.