JRI vs. VNQ

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

JRI (Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund) is a stock, while VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) is REIT fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, JRI returned 7.16%/yr vs 5.21%/yr for VNQ. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. JRI charges 2.09%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VNQ.

Performance

JRI vs. VNQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund (JRI) and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JRI achieves a -0.76% return, which is significantly lower than VNQ's 7.83% return. Over the past 10 years, JRI has outperformed VNQ with an annualized return of 7.16%, while VNQ has yielded a comparatively lower 5.21% annualized return.

JRI

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: -0.38%
• YTD: -0.76%
• 6M: -0.44%
• 1Y: 11.63%
• 3Y*: 16.97%
• 5Y*: 6.17%
• 10Y*: 7.16%

VNQ

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -1.10%
• YTD: 7.83%
• 6M: 6.75%
• 1Y: 9.97%
• 3Y*: 9.15%
• 5Y*: 2.18%
• 10Y*: 5.21%

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

JRI vs. VNQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JRI Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund	-0.76%	26.76%	16.27%	10.08%	-20.87%	29.19%	-19.47%	45.67%	-17.12%	21.71%
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF	7.83%	3.24%	4.81%	11.85%	-26.25%	40.54%	-4.61%	28.91%	-6.03%	4.90%

Correlation

The correlation between JRI and VNQ is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 30, 2012	0.51

The correlation between JRI and VNQ shifts across timeframes, from 0.45 (1 year) to 0.65 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

JRI vs. VNQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

JRI

JRI Risk / Return Rank: 62
JRI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
JRI Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
JRI Omega Ratio Rank: 60
JRI Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
JRI Martin Ratio Rank: 68

VNQ

VNQ Risk / Return Rank: 23
VNQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
VNQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
VNQ Omega Ratio Rank: 20
VNQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VNQ Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

JRI vs. VNQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund (JRI) 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.

	JRI	VNQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.80	0.76	+0.04
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.14	1.12	+0.02
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.14	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.90	1.20	-0.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.35	3.78	-0.43
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

JRI vs. VNQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JRI Sharpe Ratio is 0.80, which is comparable to the VNQ Sharpe Ratio of 0.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JRI 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	JRI	VNQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80	0.76	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.36	0.12	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.34	0.25	+0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.37	0.26	+0.11

Drawdowns

JRI vs. VNQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JRI drawdown since its inception was -60.74%, smaller than the maximum VNQ drawdown of -73.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JRI and VNQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	JRI	VNQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.74%	-73.07%	+12.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.92%	-8.34%	-4.58%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.35%	-17.46%	+2.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.40%	-34.48%	+5.08%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-60.74%	-42.40%	-18.34%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.97%	-3.75%	+0.78%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.05%	-13.63%	+4.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.48%	2.64%	+0.84%

Volatility

JRI vs. VNQ - Volatility Comparison

Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund (JRI) has a higher volatility of 6.38% compared to Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) at 3.72%. This indicates that JRI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VNQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JRI	VNQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.38%	3.72%	+2.66%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.50%	9.26%	+3.24%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.55%	13.16%	+1.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.40%	18.80%	-1.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.29%	20.70%	+0.59%

JRI vs. VNQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

JRI has a 2.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VNQ's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

JRI vs. VNQ - Dividend Comparison

JRI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.51%, more than VNQ's 3.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JRI Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund	12.51%	11.77%	11.83%	9.18%	9.90%	7.18%	9.06%	7.05%	9.33%	7.21%	8.57%	10.33%
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF	3.69%	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

Can I hold both JRI and VNQ in my portfolio?

JRI and VNQ have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JRI or VNQ?

JRI has higher volatility (6.38%) compared to VNQ (3.72%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JRI dropped -60.74% vs VNQ's -73.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JRI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.80 vs 0.76), 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.