NETL vs. GQRE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

NETL (NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF) and GQRE (FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund) are both REIT funds - NETL tracks the Fundamental Income Net Lease Real Estate Index while GQRE tracks the Northern Trust Global Quality Real Estate (NR). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NETL returned 1.33%/yr vs 1.99%/yr for GQRE. Their correlation of 0.85 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NETL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for GQRE.

Performance

NETL vs. GQRE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF (NETL) and FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund (GQRE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NETL achieves a 10.34% return, which is significantly higher than GQRE's 7.34% return.

NETL

• 1D: -1.14%
• 1M: -1.07%
• YTD: 10.34%
• 6M: 9.20%
• 1Y: 11.59%
• 3Y*: 7.12%
• 5Y*: 1.33%
• 10Y*: —

GQRE

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: -1.32%
• YTD: 7.34%
• 6M: 7.63%
• 1Y: 11.71%
• 3Y*: 10.30%
• 5Y*: 1.99%
• 10Y*: 3.78%

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

NETL vs. GQRE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
NETL NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF	10.34%	6.05%	-1.08%	2.69%	-16.16%	27.36%	-0.73%	13.15%
GQRE FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund	7.34%	8.27%	6.09%	9.21%	-27.22%	32.01%	-9.17%	7.23%

Correlation

The correlation between NETL and GQRE is 0.79, 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	0.79
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2019	0.85

The correlation between NETL and GQRE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.79 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

NETL vs. GQRE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	NETL	GQRE
Real Estate	100.0%	87.9%
Basic Materials	-	0.0%
Communication Services	-	0.5%
Consumer Cyclical	-	1.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.5%
Energy	-	-
Financial Services	-	2.0%
Healthcare	-	0.6%
Industrials	-	0.2%
Technology	-	0.8%
Utilities	-	0.5%

Return for Risk

NETL vs. GQRE — Risk / Return Rank

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

NETL

NETL Risk / Return Rank: 25
NETL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
NETL Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
NETL Omega Ratio Rank: 22
NETL Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
NETL Martin Ratio Rank: 29

GQRE

GQRE Risk / Return Rank: 27
GQRE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
GQRE Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
GQRE Omega Ratio Rank: 26
GQRE Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
GQRE 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.

NETL vs. GQRE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF (NETL) and FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund (GQRE). 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.

	NETL	GQRE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.86	1.01	-0.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.26	1.43	-0.18
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.15	1.18	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.27	1.16	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.99	4.42	-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.

NETL vs. GQRE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NETL Sharpe Ratio is 0.86, which is comparable to the GQRE Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NETL and GQRE, 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

	NETL	GQRE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.86	1.01	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.07	0.12	-0.05
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.21	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.20	0.30	-0.10

Drawdowns

NETL vs. GQRE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NETL drawdown since its inception was -51.48%, which is greater than GQRE's maximum drawdown of -41.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NETL and GQRE.

Drawdown Indicators

	NETL	GQRE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-51.48%	-41.87%	-9.61%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.16%	-10.15%	+0.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.30%	-16.17%	-3.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.74%	-35.08%	+4.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-41.87%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.68%	-3.43%	-0.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.65%	-9.24%	-2.41%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.91%	2.66%	+0.25%

Volatility

NETL vs. GQRE - Volatility Comparison

NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF (NETL) and FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund (GQRE) have volatilities of 3.66% and 3.53%, 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

	NETL	GQRE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.66%	3.53%	+0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.66%	8.77%	+0.89%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.57%	11.64%	+1.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.94%	16.45%	+1.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.92%	17.66%	+8.26%

NETL vs. GQRE - Expense Ratio Comparison

NETL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than GQRE's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

NETL vs. GQRE - Dividend Comparison

NETL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.83%, more than GQRE's 4.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GQRE FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund	4.36%	4.75%	3.77%	2.91%	2.56%	2.36%	2.05%	4.29%	3.22%	1.97%	4.16%	2.32%
NETL NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF	4.83%	5.12%	5.08%	4.57%	4.47%	4.03%	3.98%	2.52%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NETL and GQRE in my portfolio?

NETL and GQRE have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NETL or GQRE?

NETL has higher volatility (3.66%) compared to GQRE (3.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NETL dropped -51.48% vs GQRE's -41.87%.

Which ETF is better, NETL or GQRE?

On 5-year performance, GQRE leads with 1.99% vs 1.33% for NETL. On fees, GQRE is cheaper at 0.45% per year. On volatility, GQRE has been the lower-risk option at 3.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, NETL or GQRE?

Over the 5-year period, GQRE has performed better with a 1.99% return vs 1.33%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, NETL or GQRE?

GQRE is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for NETL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, NETL or GQRE?

NETL has the higher dividend yield at 4.83%, compared with 4.36% for GQRE.

What is the main difference between NETL and GQRE?

NETL tracks Fundamental Income Net Lease Real Estate Index, while GQRE tracks Northern Trust Global Quality Real Estate (NR). They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for NETL and 0.45% for GQRE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

GQRE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.01 vs 0.86), 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.