REIT vs. ELFY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

REIT (ALPS Active REIT ETF) and ELFY (ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - REIT is a REIT fund actively managed by ALPS, while ELFY is a Utilities Equities fund tracking the Ladenburg Thalmann Electrification Infrastructure Index. REIT is actively managed, while ELFY is passively managed. Over the past year, REIT returned 13.48% vs 47.53% for ELFY. At a 0.39 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. REIT charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for ELFY.

Performance

REIT vs. ELFY - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, REIT achieves a 12.80% return, which is significantly lower than ELFY's 29.07% return.

REIT

• 1D: 0.05%
• 1M: 0.26%
• YTD: 12.80%
• 6M: 12.21%
• 1Y: 13.48%
• 3Y*: 10.38%
• 5Y*: 4.37%
• 10Y*: —

ELFY

• 1D: -0.67%
• 1M: 3.53%
• YTD: 29.07%
• 6M: 26.90%
• 1Y: 47.53%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

REIT vs. ELFY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
REIT ALPS Active REIT ETF	12.80%	8.17%
ELFY ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF	29.07%	35.82%

Correlation

The correlation between REIT and ELFY is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 11, 2025	0.39

REIT vs. ELFY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	REIT	ELFY
Real Estate	100.0%	-
Basic Materials	-	3.6%
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	0.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	13.1%
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	31.3%
Technology	-	18.1%
Utilities	-	33.9%

Return for Risk

REIT vs. ELFY — Risk / Return Rank

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

REIT

REIT Risk / Return Rank: 31
REIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 29
REIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
REIT Omega Ratio Rank: 27
REIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
REIT Martin Ratio Rank: 35

ELFY

ELFY Risk / Return Rank: 79
ELFY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
ELFY Sortino Ratio Rank: 73
ELFY Omega Ratio Rank: 69
ELFY Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
ELFY Martin Ratio Rank: 86

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.

REIT vs. ELFY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT) and ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF (ELFY). 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.

	REIT	ELFY	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	2.52	-1.46
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.46	3.33	-1.87
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.19	1.42	-0.23
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.84	5.70	-3.86
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.33	18.16	-12.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

REIT vs. ELFY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REIT Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is lower than the ELFY Sharpe Ratio of 2.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REIT and ELFY, 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

	REIT	ELFY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.06	2.52	-1.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	3.36	-2.97

Drawdowns

REIT vs. ELFY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REIT drawdown since its inception was -29.30%, which is greater than ELFY's maximum drawdown of -8.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REIT and ELFY.

Drawdown Indicators

	REIT	ELFY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.30%	-8.37%	-20.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.35%	-8.37%	+1.02%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.19%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.30%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.65%	-0.67%	-1.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.38%	-1.60%	-8.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.53%	2.62%	-0.09%

Volatility

REIT vs. ELFY - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT) is 3.80%, while ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF (ELFY) has a volatility of 7.28%. This indicates that REIT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ELFY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	REIT	ELFY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.80%	7.28%	-3.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.01%	14.87%	-5.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.78%	18.98%	-6.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.45%	18.99%	-0.54%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.38%	18.99%	-0.61%

REIT vs. ELFY - Expense Ratio Comparison

REIT has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than ELFY's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

REIT vs. ELFY - Dividend Comparison

REIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.80%, more than ELFY's 0.82% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
ELFY ALPS Electrification Infrastructure ETF	0.82%	0.76%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
REIT ALPS Active REIT ETF	2.80%	3.20%	3.06%	3.13%	2.81%	4.71%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both REIT and ELFY in my portfolio?

REIT and ELFY have a correlation of 0.36, 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 ELFY?

ELFY has higher volatility (7.28%) compared to REIT (3.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REIT dropped -29.30% vs ELFY's -8.37%.

Which ETF is better, REIT or ELFY?

On 1-year performance, ELFY leads with 47.53% vs 13.48% for REIT. On fees, ELFY is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, REIT has been the lower-risk option at 3.80%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, REIT or ELFY?

Over the 1-year period, ELFY has performed better with a 47.53% return vs 13.48%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, REIT or ELFY?

ELFY is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for REIT.

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

REIT has the higher dividend yield at 2.80%, compared with 0.82% for ELFY.

What is the main difference between REIT and ELFY?

REIT is categorized as REIT, while ELFY is Utilities Equities. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for REIT and 0.50% for ELFY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

ELFY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.52 vs 1.06), 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.