GQRE vs. FREL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

GQRE (FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund) and FREL (Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF) are both REIT funds - GQRE tracks the Northern Trust Global Quality Real Estate (NR) while FREL tracks the MSCI USA IMI Real Estate Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, GQRE returned 3.78%/yr vs 5.67%/yr for FREL. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. GQRE charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for FREL.

Performance

GQRE vs. FREL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund (GQRE) and Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with GQRE having a 7.34% return and FREL slightly higher at 7.59%. Over the past 10 years, GQRE has underperformed FREL with an annualized return of 3.78%, while FREL has yielded a comparatively higher 5.67% annualized return.

GQRE

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: -1.32%
• YTD: 7.34%
• 6M: 7.63%
• 1Y: 11.71%
• 3Y*: 10.30%
• 5Y*: 1.99%
• 10Y*: 3.78%

FREL

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -1.00%
• YTD: 7.59%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: 9.81%
• 3Y*: 9.05%
• 5Y*: 2.09%
• 10Y*: 5.67%

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

GQRE vs. FREL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
GQRE FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund	7.34%	8.27%	6.09%	9.21%	-27.22%	32.01%	-9.17%	21.84%	-8.88%	13.60%
FREL Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF	7.59%	3.09%	5.05%	11.74%	-26.21%	40.46%	-4.99%	28.78%	-4.52%	8.86%

Correlation

The correlation between GQRE and FREL is 0.92, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.92
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.95
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 6, 2015	0.91

The correlation between GQRE and FREL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.95 - a consistent structural relationship.

GQRE vs. FREL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	GQRE	FREL
Real Estate	87.9%	97.6%
Financial Services	2.0%	0.0%
Consumer Cyclical	1.0%	-
Technology	0.8%	0.3%
Healthcare	0.6%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.5%	-
Utilities	0.5%	-
Communication Services	0.5%	0.4%
Industrials	0.2%	-
Basic Materials	0.0%	1.2%
Energy	-	0.1%

Return for Risk

GQRE vs. FREL — Risk / Return Rank

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

GQRE

GQRE Risk / Return Rank: 27
GQRE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
GQRE Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
GQRE Omega Ratio Rank: 26
GQRE Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
GQRE Martin Ratio Rank: 30

FREL

FREL Risk / Return Rank: 22
FREL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
FREL Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
FREL Omega Ratio Rank: 20
FREL Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
FREL Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

GQRE vs. FREL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund (GQRE) 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.

	GQRE	FREL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.01	0.75	+0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.43	1.10	+0.34
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.14	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.16	1.17	-0.01
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.42	3.67	+0.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

GQRE vs. FREL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GQRE Sharpe Ratio is 1.01, which is higher than the FREL Sharpe Ratio of 0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GQRE and FREL, 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

	GQRE	FREL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.01	0.75	+0.26
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12	0.11	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21	0.28	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.30	0.25	+0.04

Drawdowns

GQRE vs. FREL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GQRE drawdown since its inception was -41.87%, roughly equal to the maximum FREL drawdown of -42.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GQRE and FREL.

Drawdown Indicators

	GQRE	FREL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.87%	-42.61%	+0.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.15%	-8.45%	-1.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.17%	-17.54%	+1.37%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.08%	-34.40%	-0.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.87%	-42.61%	+0.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.43%	-3.93%	+0.50%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.24%	-9.95%	+0.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.66%	2.68%	-0.02%

Volatility

GQRE vs. FREL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund (GQRE) is 3.53%, while Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL) has a volatility of 3.75%. This indicates that GQRE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FREL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GQRE	FREL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.53%	3.75%	-0.22%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.77%	9.27%	-0.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.64%	13.17%	-1.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.45%	18.84%	-2.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.66%	20.67%	-3.01%

GQRE vs. FREL - Expense Ratio Comparison

GQRE has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than FREL's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

GQRE vs. FREL - Dividend Comparison

GQRE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.36%, more than FREL's 3.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FREL Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF	3.34%	3.59%	3.48%	3.73%	3.57%	2.34%	3.77%	3.32%	5.54%	3.27%	4.01%	3.80%
GQRE FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund	4.36%	4.75%	3.77%	2.91%	2.56%	2.36%	2.05%	4.29%	3.22%	1.97%	4.16%	2.32%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GQRE and FREL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.92, GQRE 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.

Which is riskier, GQRE or FREL?

FREL has higher volatility (3.75%) compared to GQRE (3.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GQRE dropped -41.87% vs FREL's -42.61%.

Which ETF is better, GQRE or FREL?

On 10-year performance, FREL leads with 5.67% vs 3.78% for GQRE. On fees, FREL is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, GQRE has been the lower-risk option at 3.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GQRE or FREL?

Over the 10-year period, FREL has performed better with a 5.67% return vs 3.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GQRE or FREL?

FREL is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for GQRE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, GQRE or FREL?

GQRE has the higher dividend yield at 4.36%, compared with 3.34% for FREL.

What is the main difference between GQRE and FREL?

GQRE tracks Northern Trust Global Quality Real Estate (NR), while FREL tracks MSCI USA IMI Real Estate Index. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for GQRE and 0.08% for FREL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GQRE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.01 vs 0.75), 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.