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IGF vs. VNQ
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

IGF vs. VNQ

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

IGF (iShares Global Infrastructure ETF) and VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - IGF is a Industrials Equities fund tracking the S&P Global Infrastructure 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, IGF returned 8.53%/yr vs 5.53%/yr for VNQ. A 0.63 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. IGF charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VNQ.

Performance

IGF vs. VNQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF) and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IGF achieves a 8.95% return, which is significantly lower than VNQ's 11.49% return. Over the past 10 years, IGF has outperformed VNQ with an annualized return of 8.53%, while VNQ has yielded a comparatively lower 5.53% annualized return.

IGF

1D
1.21%
1M
-0.77%
YTD
8.95%
6M
9.24%
1Y
16.47%
3Y*
16.15%
5Y*
10.07%
10Y*
8.53%

VNQ

1D
-0.07%
1M
0.95%
YTD
11.49%
6M
11.16%
1Y
12.43%
3Y*
10.04%
5Y*
2.36%
10Y*
5.53%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IGF vs. VNQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
IGF
iShares Global Infrastructure ETF		8.95%21.31%14.81%6.14%-1.26%11.57%-6.50%25.82%-9.95%19.31%
VNQ
Vanguard Real Estate ETF		11.49%3.24%4.81%11.85%-26.25%40.54%-4.61%28.91%-6.03%4.90%

Correlation

The correlation between IGF and VNQ is 0.59, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.59

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.62

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.67

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.64

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 12, 2007

0.63

The correlation between IGF and VNQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

IGF vs. VNQ - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
IGF
VNQ

Utilities

41.1%

-

Industrials

38.8%
0.0%

Energy

20.1%
0.1%

Real Estate

0.1%
97.3%

Basic Materials

-

1.1%

Communication Services

-

0.6%

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Financial Services

-

0.1%

Healthcare

-

-

Technology

-

0.3%

Utilities

IGF
41.1%
VNQ

-

Industrials

IGF
38.8%
VNQ
0.0%

Energy

IGF
20.1%
VNQ
0.1%

Real Estate

IGF
0.1%
VNQ
97.3%

Basic Materials

IGF

-

VNQ
1.1%

Communication Services

IGF

-

VNQ
0.6%

Consumer Cyclical

IGF

-

VNQ

-

Consumer Defensive

IGF

-

VNQ

-

Financial Services

IGF

-

VNQ
0.1%

Healthcare

IGF

-

VNQ

-

Technology

IGF

-

VNQ
0.3%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Global Infrastructure ETF

Vanguard Real Estate ETF

Often compared with IGF:
IGF vs. IFRAIGF vs. GIIIGF vs. NFRAIGF vs. SPYIGF vs. GLIFXIGF vs. VPUIGF vs. XLU
Often compared with VNQ:
VNQ vs. SCHHVNQ vs. VOOVNQ vs. SPYVNQ vs. XLREVNQ vs. VNQIVNQ vs. SCHDVNQ vs. REET

Return for Risk

IGF vs. VNQ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
IGF
IGF Risk / Return Rank: 5858
Overall Rank
IGF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5555
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IGF Sortino Ratio Rank: 5656
Sortino Ratio Rank
IGF Omega Ratio Rank: 5454
Omega Ratio Rank
IGF Calmar Ratio Rank: 6868
Calmar Ratio Rank
IGF Martin Ratio Rank: 5656
Martin Ratio Rank
VNQ
VNQ Risk / Return Rank: 3232
Overall Rank
VNQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3131
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VNQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 2929
Sortino Ratio Rank
VNQ Omega Ratio Rank: 2929
Omega Ratio Rank
VNQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 3636
Calmar Ratio Rank
VNQ Martin Ratio Rank: 3636
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

IGF vs. VNQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF) 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.

IGFVNQDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.57
0.92

+0.64

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.25
1.35

+0.90

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.28

1.17

+0.11

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.82

1.50

+1.32

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.14

4.71

+3.44

IGF vs. VNQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IGF Sharpe Ratio is 1.57, which is higher than the VNQ Sharpe Ratio of 0.92. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IGF 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.

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Drawdowns

IGF vs. VNQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IGF drawdown since its inception was -58.33%, smaller than the maximum VNQ drawdown of -73.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IGF and VNQ.

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Drawdown Indicators

IGFVNQDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-58.33%

-73.07%

+14.74%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-5.87%

-8.34%

+2.47%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.28%

-17.46%

+3.18%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-20.83%

-34.48%

+13.65%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-42.11%

-42.40%

+0.29%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.63%

-0.49%

-3.14%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.86%

-13.61%

+1.75%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.03%

2.65%

-0.62%

Volatility

IGF vs. VNQ - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Global Infrastructure ETF (IGF) is 3.81%, while Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) has a volatility of 4.74%. This indicates that IGF 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.

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Volatility by Period

IGFVNQDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.81%

4.74%

-0.93%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.71%

9.74%

-1.03%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

10.57%

13.52%

-2.95%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.00%

18.85%

-4.85%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.83%

20.72%

-3.89%

IGF vs. VNQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

IGF has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than VNQ's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

IGF vs. VNQ - Dividend Comparison

IGF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.96%, less than VNQ's 3.57% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IGF
iShares Global Infrastructure ETF		2.96%3.23%3.21%3.36%2.67%2.42%2.33%3.27%3.52%2.95%2.98%3.25%
VNQ
Vanguard Real Estate ETF		3.57%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

IGF and VNQ have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VNQ has higher volatility (4.74%) compared to IGF (3.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IGF dropped -58.33% vs VNQ's -73.07%.

On 10-year performance, IGF leads with 8.53% vs 5.53% for VNQ. On fees, VNQ is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, IGF has been the lower-risk option at 3.81%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, IGF has performed better with a 8.53% return vs 5.53%. 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 IGF.

VNQ has the higher dividend yield at 3.57%, compared with 2.96% for IGF.

IGF is categorized as Industrials Equities, while VNQ is REIT. IGF tracks S&P Global Infrastructure 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 IGF and 0.13% for VNQ.

IGF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.57 vs 0.92), 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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