MORT vs. FREL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MORT (VanEck Vectors Mortgage REIT Income ETF) and FREL (Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF) are both REIT funds - MORT tracks the MVIS Global Mortgage REITs Index while FREL tracks the MSCI USA IMI Real Estate Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, MORT returned 2.27%/yr vs 5.67%/yr for FREL. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MORT charges 0.42%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for FREL.

Performance

MORT vs. FREL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Vectors Mortgage REIT Income ETF (MORT) 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, MORT achieves a -2.10% return, which is significantly lower than FREL's 7.59% return. Over the past 10 years, MORT has underperformed FREL with an annualized return of 2.27%, while FREL has yielded a comparatively higher 5.67% annualized return.

MORT

• 1D: -1.29%
• 1M: -4.89%
• YTD: -2.10%
• 6M: -2.31%
• 1Y: 10.79%
• 3Y*: 8.07%
• 5Y*: -2.36%
• 10Y*: 2.27%

FREL

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -1.00%
• YTD: 7.59%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: 9.81%
• 3Y*: 9.05%
• 5Y*: 2.09%
• 10Y*: 5.67%

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

MORT vs. FREL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MORT VanEck Vectors Mortgage REIT Income ETF	-2.10%	12.17%	0.14%	14.74%	-26.92%	15.95%	-22.39%	21.26%	-4.45%	18.88%
FREL Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF	7.59%	3.09%	5.05%	11.74%	-26.21%	40.46%	-4.99%	28.78%	-4.52%	8.86%

Correlation

The correlation between MORT and FREL is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.66
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.68
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 6, 2015	0.61

The correlation between MORT and FREL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

MORT vs. FREL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MORT	FREL
Real Estate	96.7%	97.6%
Financial Services	3.0%	0.0%
Basic Materials	-	1.2%
Communication Services	-	0.4%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.1%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Technology	-	0.3%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

MORT vs. FREL — Risk / Return Rank

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

MORT

MORT Risk / Return Rank: 19
MORT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
MORT Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
MORT Omega Ratio Rank: 19
MORT Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
MORT Martin Ratio Rank: 19

FREL

FREL Risk / Return Rank: 22
FREL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
FREL Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
FREL Omega Ratio Rank: 20
FREL Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
FREL Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

MORT vs. FREL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Vectors Mortgage REIT Income ETF (MORT) 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.

	MORT	FREL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.66	0.75	-0.09
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.00	1.10	-0.09
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.14	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.76	1.17	-0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.12	3.67	-1.55
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MORT vs. FREL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MORT Sharpe Ratio is 0.66, which is comparable to the FREL Sharpe Ratio of 0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MORT 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

	MORT	FREL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.66	0.75	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.10	0.11	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.08	0.28	-0.20
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.16	0.25	-0.10

Drawdowns

MORT vs. FREL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MORT drawdown since its inception was -70.13%, which is greater than FREL's maximum drawdown of -42.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MORT and FREL.

Drawdown Indicators

	MORT	FREL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.13%	-42.61%	-27.52%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.27%	-8.45%	-5.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.98%	-17.54%	-4.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-42.73%	-34.40%	-8.33%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-70.13%	-42.61%	-27.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-23.25%	-3.93%	-19.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-15.31%	-9.95%	-5.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.11%	2.68%	+2.43%

Volatility

MORT vs. FREL - Volatility Comparison

VanEck Vectors Mortgage REIT Income ETF (MORT) and Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL) have volatilities of 3.67% and 3.75%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	MORT	FREL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.67%	3.75%	-0.08%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.80%	9.27%	+3.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.59%	13.17%	+3.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.70%	18.84%	+4.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.85%	20.67%	+8.18%

MORT vs. FREL - Expense Ratio Comparison

MORT has a 0.42% expense ratio, which is higher than FREL's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

MORT vs. FREL - Dividend Comparison

MORT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 13.30%, more than FREL's 3.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FREL Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF	3.34%	3.59%	3.48%	3.73%	3.57%	2.34%	3.77%	3.32%	5.54%	3.27%	4.01%	3.80%
MORT VanEck Vectors Mortgage REIT Income ETF	13.30%	12.76%	11.55%	12.18%	13.09%	8.21%	8.11%	7.36%	8.19%	7.82%	8.21%	9.91%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MORT and FREL in my portfolio?

MORT and FREL have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MORT or FREL?

FREL has higher volatility (3.75%) compared to MORT (3.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MORT dropped -70.13% vs FREL's -42.61%.

Which ETF is better, MORT or FREL?

On 10-year performance, FREL leads with 5.67% vs 2.27% for MORT. On fees, FREL is cheaper at 0.08% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MORT or FREL?

Over the 10-year period, FREL has performed better with a 5.67% return vs 2.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MORT or FREL?

FREL is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.42% for MORT.

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

MORT has the higher dividend yield at 13.30%, compared with 3.34% for FREL.

What is the main difference between MORT and FREL?

MORT tracks MVIS Global Mortgage REITs Index, while FREL tracks MSCI USA IMI Real Estate Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.42% for MORT and 0.08% for FREL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FREL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.75 vs 0.66), 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.