GQRE vs. VBIL

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

GQRE (FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund) and VBIL (Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - GQRE is a REIT fund tracking the Northern Trust Global Quality Real Estate (NR), while VBIL is a Ultrashort Bond fund tracking the Bloomberg US Treasury Bills 0-3 Months Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, GQRE returned 11.39% vs 3.91% for VBIL. At a correlation of -0.04, they often move in opposite directions. GQRE charges 0.45%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VBIL.

Performance

GQRE vs. VBIL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund (GQRE) and Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, GQRE achieves a 9.32% return, which is significantly higher than VBIL's 1.71% return.

GQRE

• 1D: 0.69%
• 1M: -0.17%
• YTD: 9.32%
• 6M: 9.88%
• 1Y: 11.39%
• 3Y*: 11.94%
• 5Y*: 2.35%
• 10Y*: 4.10%

VBIL

• 1D: 0.01%
• 1M: 0.30%
• YTD: 1.71%
• 6M: 1.81%
• 1Y: 3.91%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

GQRE vs. VBIL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
GQRE FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund	9.32%	6.65%
VBIL Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF	1.71%	3.73%

Correlation

The correlation between GQRE and VBIL is -0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.07
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 11, 2025	-0.04

Return for Risk

GQRE vs. VBIL — 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: 24
GQRE Martin Ratio Rank: 31

VBIL

VBIL Risk / Return Rank: 100
VBIL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 100
VBIL Sortino Ratio Rank: 100
VBIL Omega Ratio Rank: 100
VBIL Calmar Ratio Rank: 100
VBIL Martin Ratio Rank: 100

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. VBIL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund (GQRE) and Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL). 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.

	GQRE	VBIL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.97	18.07	-17.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.37	111.81	-110.44
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	39.66	-38.48
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.13	296.41	-295.28
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.24	1,960.46	-1,956.23

GQRE vs. VBIL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current GQRE Sharpe Ratio is 0.97, which is lower than the VBIL Sharpe Ratio of 18.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of GQRE and VBIL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

GQRE vs. VBIL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum GQRE drawdown since its inception was -41.87%, which is greater than VBIL's maximum drawdown of -0.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GQRE and VBIL.

Drawdown Indicators

	GQRE	VBIL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-41.87%	-0.09%	-41.78%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.15%	-0.01%	-10.14%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.17%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.08%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.87%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.64%	0.00%	-1.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.20%	-0.00%	-9.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.70%	0.00%	+2.70%

Volatility

GQRE vs. VBIL - Volatility Comparison

FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund (GQRE) has a higher volatility of 3.69% compared to Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF (VBIL) at 0.05%. This indicates that GQRE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VBIL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	GQRE	VBIL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.69%	0.05%	+3.64%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.20%	0.16%	+9.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.91%	0.22%	+11.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.46%	0.30%	+16.16%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.65%	0.30%	+17.35%

GQRE vs. VBIL - Expense Ratio Comparison

GQRE has a 0.45% expense ratio, which is higher than VBIL's 0.07% expense ratio.

Dividends

GQRE vs. VBIL - Dividend Comparison

GQRE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.29%, more than VBIL's 3.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GQRE FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund	4.29%	4.75%	3.77%	2.91%	2.56%	2.36%	2.05%	4.29%	3.22%	1.97%	4.16%	2.32%
VBIL Vanguard 0-3 Month Treasury Bill ETF	3.65%	3.12%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both GQRE and VBIL in my portfolio?

GQRE and VBIL have a correlation of -0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, GQRE or VBIL?

GQRE has higher volatility (3.69%) compared to VBIL (0.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GQRE dropped -41.87% vs VBIL's -0.09%.

Which ETF is better, GQRE or VBIL?

On 1-year performance, GQRE leads with 11.39% vs 3.91% for VBIL. On fees, VBIL is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, VBIL has been the lower-risk option at 0.05%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, GQRE or VBIL?

Over the 1-year period, GQRE has performed better with a 11.39% return vs 3.91%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, GQRE or VBIL?

VBIL is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for GQRE.

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

GQRE has the higher dividend yield at 4.29%, compared with 3.65% for VBIL.

What is the main difference between GQRE and VBIL?

GQRE is categorized as REIT, while VBIL is Ultrashort Bond. GQRE tracks Northern Trust Global Quality Real Estate (NR), while VBIL tracks Bloomberg US Treasury Bills 0-3 Months Index. They also come from different issuers: Northern Trust and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.45% for GQRE and 0.07% for VBIL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VBIL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (18.07 vs 0.97), 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.