PRERX vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

PRERX (Principal Real Estate Securities Fund) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both funds - PRERX is a REIT fund managed by Principal, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Over the past 10 years, PRERX returned 5.83%/yr vs 11.06%/yr for VEA. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. PRERX charges 1.37%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

PRERX vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal Real Estate Securities Fund (PRERX) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRERX achieves a 11.30% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 16.69% return. Over the past 10 years, PRERX has underperformed VEA with an annualized return of 5.83%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively higher 11.06% annualized return.

PRERX

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: -1.93%
• YTD: 11.30%
• 6M: 11.59%
• 1Y: 9.05%
• 3Y*: 8.17%
• 5Y*: 2.87%
• 10Y*: 5.83%

VEA

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 3.28%
• YTD: 16.69%
• 6M: 17.33%
• 1Y: 35.42%
• 3Y*: 20.72%
• 5Y*: 10.37%
• 10Y*: 11.06%

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

PRERX vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRERX Principal Real Estate Securities Fund	11.30%	0.69%	4.93%	12.74%	-25.59%	38.94%	-3.75%	30.47%	-4.77%	8.49%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	16.69%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between PRERX and VEA is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2007	0.57

Over the past year, the correlation between PRERX and VEA has dropped to 0.37 - well below their long-term average of 0.57, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

PRERX vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRERX

PRERX Risk / Return Rank: 10
PRERX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
PRERX Sortino Ratio Rank: 8
PRERX Omega Ratio Rank: 8
PRERX Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
PRERX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 67
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 67
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

PRERX vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal Real Estate Securities Fund (PRERX) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

	PRERX	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.68	2.16	-1.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.99	2.93	-1.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.13	1.39	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.21	3.06	-1.85
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.15	11.80	-8.65

PRERX vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRERX Sharpe Ratio is 0.68, which is lower than the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 2.16. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRERX and VEA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PRERX vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRERX drawdown since its inception was -70.21%, which is greater than VEA's maximum drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRERX and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRERX	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.21%	-60.68%	-9.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.46%	-11.63%	+4.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.93%	-13.45%	-2.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.45%	-29.71%	-1.74%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.25%	-35.73%	-5.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.86%	0.00%	-2.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.65%	-13.26%	+1.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.86%	3.01%	-0.15%

Volatility

PRERX vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal Real Estate Securities Fund (PRERX) is 4.81%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 6.32%. This indicates that PRERX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRERX	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.81%	6.32%	-1.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.97%	14.39%	-4.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.25%	16.52%	-3.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.42%	16.71%	+1.71%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.71%	17.38%	+2.33%

PRERX vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRERX has a 1.37% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRERX vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

PRERX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.87%, less than VEA's 2.50% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRERX Principal Real Estate Securities Fund	1.87%	2.23%	3.79%	2.28%	3.07%	3.90%	2.28%	2.66%	3.78%	3.24%	4.02%	6.62%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.50%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRERX and VEA in my portfolio?

PRERX and VEA have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRERX or VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (6.32%) compared to PRERX (4.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRERX dropped -70.21% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.16 vs 0.68), 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.