IGE vs. VNQ
IGE (iShares North American Natural Resources ETF) and VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IGE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index, while VNQ is a REIT fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IGE returned 8.90%/yr vs 5.35%/yr for VNQ. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. IGE charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VNQ.
Performance
IGE vs. VNQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, IGE achieves a 13.49% return, which is significantly higher than VNQ's 10.80% return. Over the past 10 years, IGE has outperformed VNQ with an annualized return of 8.90%, while VNQ has yielded a comparatively lower 5.35% annualized return.
IGE
- 1D
- -1.77%
- 1M
- -7.90%
- YTD
- 13.49%
- 6M
- 12.84%
- 1Y
- 30.59%
- 3Y*
- 17.84%
- 5Y*
- 15.86%
- 10Y*
- 8.90%
VNQ
- 1D
- -0.87%
- 1M
- 0.25%
- YTD
- 10.80%
- 6M
- 10.46%
- 1Y
- 10.33%
- 3Y*
- 10.98%
- 5Y*
- 2.52%
- 10Y*
- 5.35%
IGE vs. VNQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IGE iShares North American Natural Resources ETF | 13.49% | 20.41% | 7.55% | 3.12% | 33.24% | 39.42% | -19.58% | 17.16% | -21.59% | 0.82% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 10.80% | 3.24% | 4.81% | 11.85% | -26.25% | 40.54% | -4.61% | 28.91% | -6.03% | 4.90% |
Correlation
The correlation between IGE and VNQ is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.27 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.35 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.38 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2004 | 0.42 |
The correlation between IGE and VNQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (1 year) to 0.42 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
IGE vs. VNQ — Risk / Return Rank
IGE
VNQ
IGE vs. VNQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares North American Natural Resources ETF (IGE) 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.
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.
| IGE | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.11 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.41 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.31 | 1.14 | +0.17 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.97 | 1.24 | +1.72 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 11.11 | 3.92 | +7.19 |
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Drawdowns
IGE vs. VNQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum IGE drawdown since its inception was -67.55%, smaller than the maximum VNQ drawdown of -73.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGE and VNQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| IGE | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -67.55% | -73.07% | +5.52% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.35% | -8.34% | -2.01% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.49% | -17.46% | -2.03% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -25.72% | -34.48% | +8.76% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -60.57% | -42.40% | -18.17% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -10.35% | -1.52% | -8.83% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -18.87% | -13.60% | -5.27% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.76% | 2.66% | +0.10% |
Volatility
IGE vs. VNQ - Volatility Comparison
iShares North American Natural Resources ETF (IGE) and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) have volatilities of 5.49% and 5.27%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| IGE | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.49% | 5.27% | +0.22% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.10% | 10.24% | +2.86% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.56% | 13.79% | +2.77% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.42% | 18.87% | +3.55% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.93% | 20.75% | +4.18% |
IGE vs. VNQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
IGE has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than VNQ's 0.13% expense ratio.
Dividends
IGE vs. VNQ - Dividend Comparison
IGE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.10%, less than VNQ's 3.59% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IGE iShares North American Natural Resources ETF | 2.10% | 2.32% | 2.54% | 2.85% | 2.96% | 2.92% | 3.34% | 5.55% | 2.68% | 2.11% | 1.66% | 3.08% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 3.59% | 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
IGE and VNQ have a correlation of 0.27, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
IGE has higher volatility (5.49%) compared to VNQ (5.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGE dropped -67.55% vs VNQ's -73.07%.
On 10-year performance, IGE leads with 8.90% vs 5.35% for VNQ. On fees, VNQ is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, VNQ has been the lower-risk option at 5.27%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IGE has performed better with a 8.90% return vs 5.35%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VNQ is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for IGE.
VNQ has the higher dividend yield at 3.59%, compared with 2.10% for IGE.
IGE is categorized as Energy Equities, while VNQ is REIT. IGE tracks S&P North American Natural Resources Sector Index, while VNQ tracks MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for IGE and 0.13% for VNQ.
IGE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.86 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.
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