IQRA vs. FREL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IQRA (IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF) and FREL (Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF) are both REIT funds. IQRA is actively managed, while FREL is passively managed. Over the past 3 years, IQRA returned 10.36%/yr vs 9.95%/yr for FREL. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IQRA charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for FREL.

Performance

IQRA vs. FREL - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IQRA achieves a 6.85% return, which is significantly lower than FREL's 9.50% return.

IQRA

• 1D: 0.82%
• 1M: -2.26%
• YTD: 6.85%
• 6M: 7.15%
• 1Y: 12.53%
• 3Y*: 10.36%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

FREL

• 1D: 1.78%
• 1M: 0.45%
• YTD: 9.50%
• 6M: 8.69%
• 1Y: 11.47%
• 3Y*: 9.95%
• 5Y*: 2.45%
• 10Y*: 5.92%

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

IQRA vs. FREL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
IQRA IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF	6.85%	12.42%	5.58%	2.36%
FREL Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF	9.50%	3.09%	5.05%	10.04%

Correlation

The correlation between IQRA and FREL is 0.86, 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	0.86
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 11, 2023	0.88

The correlation between IQRA and FREL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.86 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.

IQRA vs. FREL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IQRA	FREL
Real Estate	51.8%	97.6%
Utilities	28.7%	-
Industrials	12.6%	-
Energy	6.5%	0.1%
Financial Services	2.2%	0.0%
Consumer Defensive	1.5%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.4%	-
Communication Services	0.5%	0.4%
Basic Materials	-	1.2%
Healthcare	-	-
Technology	-	0.3%

Return for Risk

IQRA vs. FREL — Risk / Return Rank

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

IQRA

IQRA Risk / Return Rank: 33
IQRA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
IQRA Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
IQRA Omega Ratio Rank: 32
IQRA Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
IQRA Martin Ratio Rank: 36

FREL

FREL Risk / Return Rank: 26
FREL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
FREL Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
FREL Omega Ratio Rank: 24
FREL Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
FREL Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

IQRA vs. FREL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF (IQRA) 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.

	IQRA	FREL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.19	0.87	+0.33
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.66	1.26	+0.40
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.21	1.16	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.57	1.36	+0.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.43	4.29	+1.14
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IQRA vs. FREL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IQRA Sharpe Ratio is 1.19, which is higher than the FREL Sharpe Ratio of 0.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IQRA 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

	IQRA	FREL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.19	0.87	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.13	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.29	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.26	+0.43

Drawdowns

IQRA vs. FREL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IQRA drawdown since its inception was -15.70%, smaller than the maximum FREL drawdown of -42.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IQRA and FREL.

Drawdown Indicators

	IQRA	FREL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.70%	-42.61%	+26.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.01%	-8.45%	+0.44%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.70%	-17.54%	+1.84%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-34.40%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-42.61%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.24%	-2.22%	-2.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.15%	-9.95%	+6.80%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.31%	2.68%	-0.37%

Volatility

IQRA vs. FREL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF (IQRA) is 3.51%, while Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL) has a volatility of 4.16%. This indicates that IQRA 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

	IQRA	FREL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.51%	4.16%	-0.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.24%	9.42%	-1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.55%	13.28%	-2.73%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.86%	18.86%	-6.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.86%	20.68%	-7.82%

IQRA vs. FREL - Expense Ratio Comparison

IQRA has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than FREL's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

IQRA vs. FREL - Dividend Comparison

IQRA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.79%, less than FREL's 3.29% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FREL Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF	3.29%	3.59%	3.48%	3.73%	3.57%	2.34%	3.77%	3.32%	5.54%	3.27%	4.01%	3.80%
IQRA IQ CBRE Real Assets ETF	2.79%	2.83%	3.53%	2.14%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IQRA and FREL in my portfolio?

IQRA and FREL have a correlation of 0.86, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IQRA or FREL?

FREL has higher volatility (4.16%) compared to IQRA (3.51%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IQRA dropped -15.70% vs FREL's -42.61%.

Which ETF is better, IQRA or FREL?

On 3-year performance, IQRA leads with 10.36% vs 9.95% for FREL. On fees, FREL is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, IQRA has been the lower-risk option at 3.51%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IQRA or FREL?

Over the 3-year period, IQRA has performed better with a 10.36% return vs 9.95%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IQRA or FREL?

FREL is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for IQRA.

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

FREL has the higher dividend yield at 3.29%, compared with 2.79% for IQRA.

What is the main difference between IQRA and FREL?

They also come from different issuers: IndexIQ and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for IQRA and 0.08% for FREL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IQRA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.19 vs 0.87), 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.