REET vs. QDF
REET (iShares Global REIT ETF) and QDF (FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - REET is a REIT fund tracking the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global REIT Index, while QDF is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the Northern Trust Quality Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, REET returned 4.03%/yr vs 11.84%/yr for QDF. A 0.66 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. REET charges 0.14%/yr vs 0.37%/yr for QDF.
Performance
REET vs. QDF - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, REET achieves a 15.40% return, which is significantly higher than QDF's 12.15% return. Over the past 10 years, REET has underperformed QDF with an annualized return of 4.03%, while QDF has yielded a comparatively higher 11.84% annualized return.
REET
- 1D
- -0.25%
- 1M
- 5.14%
- 6M
- 11.25%
- YTD
- 15.40%
- 1Y
- 19.06%
- 3Y*
- 9.68%
- 5Y*
- 3.04%
- 10Y*
- 4.03%
- ALL TIME*
- 4.97%
QDF
- 1D
- -0.54%
- 1M
- 0.78%
- 6M
- 10.01%
- YTD
- 12.15%
- 1Y
- 22.84%
- 3Y*
- 16.92%
- 5Y*
- 11.96%
- 10Y*
- 11.84%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.65%
REET vs. QDF - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
REET iShares Global REIT ETF | 15.40% | 7.97% | 2.65% | 10.28% | -24.10% | 32.43% | -10.48% | 24.42% | -5.27% | 7.48% |
QDF FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund | 12.15% | 16.58% | 16.95% | 19.71% | -12.13% | 26.65% | 4.86% | 25.71% | -7.97% | 17.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between REET and QDF is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.43 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.60 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.69 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.65 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 10, 2014 | 0.66 |
Over the past year, the correlation between REET and QDF has dropped to 0.43 - well below their long-term average of 0.66, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
REET vs. QDF — Risk / Return Rank
REET
QDF
REET vs. QDF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Global REIT ETF (REET) and FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund (QDF). 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.
| REET | QDF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.38 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.59 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.27 | 1.35 | -0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.12 | 2.90 | -0.79 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.62 | 12.45 | -4.83 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
REET vs. QDF - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum REET drawdown since its inception was -44.59%, which is greater than QDF's maximum drawdown of -36.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REET and QDF.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| REET | QDF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -44.59% | -36.67% | -7.92% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.04% | -7.90% | -1.14% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.02% | -18.01% | -0.01% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.11% | -22.06% | -10.05% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.59% | -36.67% | -7.92% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.25% | -0.99% | +0.74% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -9.69% | -3.62% | -6.07% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.51% | 1.84% | +0.67% |
Volatility
REET vs. QDF - Volatility Comparison
iShares Global REIT ETF (REET) has a higher volatility of 3.66% compared to FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund (QDF) at 2.99%. This indicates that REET's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QDF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| REET | QDF | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.66% | 2.99% | +0.67% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.92% | 9.58% | +0.34% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 12.62% | 12.09% | +0.53% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.94% | 15.63% | +1.31% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 18.84% | 17.37% | +1.47% |
REET vs. QDF - Expense Ratio Comparison
REET has a 0.14% expense ratio, which is lower than QDF's 0.37% expense ratio.
Dividends
REET vs. QDF - Dividend Comparison
REET's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%, more than QDF's 1.50% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
QDF FlexShares Quality Dividend Index Fund | 1.50% | 1.65% | 1.93% | 2.19% | 2.45% | 1.90% | 2.38% | 3.05% | 4.29% | 2.70% | 3.07% | 3.04% |
REET iShares Global REIT ETF | 3.26% | 3.67% | 3.64% | 3.27% | 2.43% | 3.18% | 2.65% | 5.25% | 5.73% | 3.84% | 5.37% | 3.56% |
Frequently Asked Questions
REET and QDF have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
REET has higher volatility (3.66%) compared to QDF (2.99%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REET dropped -44.59% vs QDF's -36.67%.
On 10-year performance, QDF leads with 11.84% vs 4.03% for REET. On fees, REET is cheaper at 0.14% per year. On volatility, QDF has been the lower-risk option at 2.99%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, QDF has performed better with a 11.84% return vs 4.03%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
REET is cheaper with a 0.14% expense ratio, compared with 0.37% for QDF.
REET has the higher dividend yield at 3.26%, compared with 1.50% for QDF.
REET is categorized as REIT, while QDF is Large Cap Value Equities. REET tracks FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global REIT Index, while QDF tracks Northern Trust Quality Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and FlexShares. Their fees differ too: 0.14% for REET and 0.37% for QDF.
QDF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.90 vs 1.52), 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.
Find the right allocation for REET and QDF
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer