NETL vs. VNQ
NETL (NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF) and VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) are both REIT funds - NETL tracks the Fundamental Income Net Lease Real Estate Index while VNQ tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, NETL returned 2.20%/yr vs 2.52%/yr for VNQ. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. NETL charges 0.60%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VNQ.
Performance
NETL vs. VNQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, NETL achieves a 14.61% return, which is significantly higher than VNQ's 10.80% return.
NETL
- 1D
- 0.72%
- 1M
- 0.70%
- YTD
- 14.61%
- 6M
- 14.73%
- 1Y
- 12.86%
- 3Y*
- 9.82%
- 5Y*
- 2.20%
- 10Y*
- —
VNQ
- 1D
- -0.87%
- 1M
- 0.25%
- YTD
- 10.80%
- 6M
- 10.46%
- 1Y
- 10.33%
- 3Y*
- 10.98%
- 5Y*
- 2.52%
- 10Y*
- 5.35%
NETL vs. VNQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NETL NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF | 14.61% | 6.05% | -1.08% | 2.69% | -16.16% | 27.36% | -0.73% | 12.04% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 10.80% | 3.24% | 4.81% | 11.85% | -26.25% | 40.54% | -4.61% | 10.68% |
Correlation
The correlation between NETL and VNQ is 0.81, 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 | 0.81 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.86 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.87 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 22, 2019 | 0.88 |
The correlation between NETL and VNQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.81 to 0.88 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
NETL vs. VNQ — Risk / Return Rank
NETL
VNQ
NETL vs. VNQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF (NETL) 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.
| NETL | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.17 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.22 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.16 | 1.14 | +0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.41 | 1.24 | +0.16 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.43 | 3.92 | +0.51 |
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Drawdowns
NETL vs. VNQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NETL drawdown since its inception was -51.48%, smaller than the maximum VNQ drawdown of -73.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NETL and VNQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NETL | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -51.48% | -73.07% | +21.59% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.16% | -8.34% | -0.82% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.30% | -17.46% | -1.84% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -30.74% | -34.48% | +3.74% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -42.40% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.23% | -1.52% | +0.29% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.57% | -13.60% | +2.03% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.92% | 2.66% | +0.26% |
Volatility
NETL vs. VNQ - Volatility Comparison
NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF (NETL) and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) have volatilities of 5.28% and 5.27%, 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.
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Volatility by Period
| NETL | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.28% | 5.27% | +0.01% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.36% | 10.24% | +0.12% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 14.04% | 13.79% | +0.25% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.00% | 18.87% | -0.87% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.87% | 20.75% | +5.12% |
NETL vs. VNQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
NETL has a 0.60% expense ratio, which is higher than VNQ's 0.13% expense ratio.
Dividends
NETL vs. VNQ - Dividend Comparison
NETL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.65%, more than VNQ's 3.59% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NETL NETLease Corporate Real Estate ETF | 4.65% | 5.12% | 5.08% | 4.57% | 4.47% | 4.03% | 3.98% | 2.52% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 3.59% | 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
NETL and VNQ have a correlation of 0.81, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NETL has higher volatility (5.28%) compared to VNQ (5.27%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NETL dropped -51.48% vs VNQ's -73.07%.
On 5-year performance, VNQ leads with 2.52% vs 2.20% for NETL. On fees, VNQ is cheaper at 0.13% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VNQ has performed better with a 2.52% return vs 2.20%. 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 0.60% for NETL.
NETL has the higher dividend yield at 4.65%, compared with 3.59% for VNQ.
NETL tracks Fundamental Income Net Lease Real Estate Index, while VNQ tracks MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index. They also come from different issuers: Exchange Traded Concepts and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.60% for NETL and 0.13% for VNQ.
NETL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.92 vs 0.75), 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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