REIT vs. BLDG

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

REIT (ALPS Active REIT ETF) and BLDG (Cambria Global Real Estate ETF) are both REIT funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, REIT returned 4.86%/yr vs 3.88%/yr for BLDG. Their correlation of 0.82 means they have usually moved in the same direction. REIT charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for BLDG.

Performance

REIT vs. BLDG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT) and Cambria Global Real Estate ETF (BLDG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, REIT achieves a 20.12% return, which is significantly higher than BLDG's 14.70% return.

REIT

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 1.02%
• 6M: 18.13%
• YTD: 20.12%
• 1Y: 23.92%
• 3Y*: 11.60%
• 5Y*: 4.86%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.08%

BLDG

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: 1.91%
• 6M: 10.60%
• YTD: 14.70%
• 1Y: 18.58%
• 3Y*: 10.37%
• 5Y*: 3.88%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.19%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
BLDG Cambria Global Real Estate ETF	$88.64K	$78.98K	$590.59K
REIT ALPS Active REIT ETF	$500.56K	$377.29K	$328.09K

REIT vs. BLDG - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
REIT ALPS Active REIT ETF	20.12%	-0.55%	7.11%	13.74%	-21.23%	33.02%
BLDG Cambria Global Real Estate ETF	14.70%	4.26%	8.18%	1.76%	-14.66%	18.76%

Correlation

The correlation between REIT and BLDG is 0.75, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.75
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.79
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 26, 2021	0.82

The correlation between REIT and BLDG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.75 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

REIT vs. BLDG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

REIT

REIT Risk / Return Rank: 77
REIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
REIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
REIT Omega Ratio Rank: 74
REIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
REIT Martin Ratio Rank: 78

BLDG

BLDG Risk / Return Rank: 59
BLDG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
BLDG Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
BLDG Omega Ratio Rank: 62
BLDG Calmar Ratio Rank: 49
BLDG Martin Ratio Rank: 53

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

REIT vs. BLDG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT) and Cambria Global Real Estate ETF (BLDG). 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.

	REIT	BLDG	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	1.62	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.45	2.25	+0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.28	+0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.27	1.85	+1.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.22	6.52	+3.70

REIT vs. BLDG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REIT Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is comparable to the BLDG Sharpe Ratio of 1.62. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REIT and BLDG, 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

REIT vs. BLDG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REIT drawdown since its inception was -29.30%, which is greater than BLDG's maximum drawdown of -27.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REIT and BLDG.

Drawdown Indicators

	REIT	BLDG	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.30%	-27.25%	-2.05%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.35%	-10.08%	+2.73%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.19%	-18.57%	+0.38%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.30%	-27.25%	-2.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.40%	-1.30%	-1.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.09%	-8.99%	-1.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.35%	2.86%	-0.51%

Volatility

REIT vs. BLDG - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT) has a higher volatility of 4.46% compared to Cambria Global Real Estate ETF (BLDG) at 3.77%. This indicates that REIT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BLDG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	REIT	BLDG	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.46%	3.77%	+0.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.45%	9.60%	+0.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.34%	11.53%	+1.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.51%	15.24%	+3.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.32%	15.50%	+2.82%

REIT vs. BLDG - Expense Ratio Comparison

REIT has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than BLDG's 0.59% expense ratio.

Dividends

REIT vs. BLDG - Dividend Comparison

REIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.65%, less than BLDG's 5.12% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
BLDG Cambria Global Real Estate ETF	5.12%	7.46%	7.97%	4.99%	3.99%	10.40%	0.59%
REIT ALPS Active REIT ETF	2.65%	3.20%	3.06%	3.13%	2.81%	4.71%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both REIT and BLDG in my portfolio?

REIT and BLDG have a correlation of 0.75, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, REIT or BLDG?

REIT has higher volatility (4.46%) compared to BLDG (3.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REIT dropped -29.30% vs BLDG's -27.25%.

Which ETF is better, REIT or BLDG?

On 5-year performance, REIT leads with 4.86% vs 3.88% for BLDG. On fees, BLDG is cheaper at 0.59% per year. On volatility, BLDG has been the lower-risk option at 3.77%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, REIT or BLDG?

Over the 5-year period, REIT has performed better with a 4.86% return vs 3.88%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, REIT or BLDG?

BLDG is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for REIT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, REIT or BLDG?

BLDG has the higher dividend yield at 5.12%, compared with 2.65% for REIT.

What is the main difference between REIT and BLDG?

They also come from different issuers: ALPS and Cambria. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for REIT and 0.59% for BLDG.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

REIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.80 vs 1.62), 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.