REIT vs. VTI

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

REIT (ALPS Active REIT ETF) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - REIT is a REIT fund actively managed by ALPS, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. REIT is actively managed, while VTI is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, REIT returned 4.38%/yr vs 13.05%/yr for VTI. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. REIT charges 0.68%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

REIT vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, REIT achieves a 12.74% return, which is significantly higher than VTI's 12.01% return.

REIT

• 1D: 0.54%
• 1M: -0.57%
• YTD: 12.74%
• 6M: 12.18%
• 1Y: 13.01%
• 3Y*: 10.36%
• 5Y*: 4.38%
• 10Y*: —

VTI

• 1D: 0.26%
• 1M: 5.37%
• YTD: 12.01%
• 6M: 12.40%
• 1Y: 30.01%
• 3Y*: 22.37%
• 5Y*: 13.05%
• 10Y*: 15.13%

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

REIT vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
REIT ALPS Active REIT ETF	12.74%	-0.55%	7.11%	13.74%	-21.23%	33.56%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	12.01%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	22.26%

Correlation

The correlation between REIT and VTI is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.34
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.49
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 1, 2021	0.58

Over the past year, the correlation between REIT and VTI has dropped to 0.34 - well below their long-term average of 0.58, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

REIT vs. VTI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	REIT	VTI
Real Estate	100.0%	2.4%
Basic Materials	-	2.0%
Communication Services	-	10.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.7%
Energy	-	3.7%
Financial Services	-	12.0%
Healthcare	-	9.2%
Industrials	-	9.8%
Technology	-	33.5%
Utilities	-	2.3%

Return for Risk

REIT vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

REIT

REIT Risk / Return Rank: 30
REIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
REIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
REIT Omega Ratio Rank: 27
REIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
REIT Martin Ratio Rank: 35

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 74
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 74
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.02	2.48	-1.46
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.41	3.37	-1.96
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.45	-0.26
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.81	3.44	-1.63
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	5.26	15.88	-10.62
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. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REIT Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is lower than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 2.48. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REIT and VTI, 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	VTI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.02	2.48	-1.46
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24	0.75	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.83	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	0.51	-0.12

Drawdowns

REIT vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REIT drawdown since its inception was -29.30%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REIT and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	REIT	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.30%	-55.45%	+26.15%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.35%	-8.92%	+1.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.19%	-19.30%	+1.11%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.30%	-25.36%	-3.94%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-35.00%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.70%	0.00%	-2.70%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.39%	-8.03%	-2.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.53%	1.93%	+0.60%

Volatility

REIT vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT) has a higher volatility of 3.88% compared to Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) at 2.86%. This indicates that REIT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	REIT	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.88%	2.86%	+1.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.08%	9.11%	-0.03%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.78%	12.15%	+0.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.45%	17.40%	+1.05%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.38%	18.30%	+0.08%

REIT vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

REIT has a 0.68% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

REIT vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

REIT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.80%, more than VTI's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
REIT ALPS Active REIT ETF	2.80%	3.20%	3.06%	3.13%	2.81%	4.71%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.01%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both REIT and VTI in my portfolio?

REIT and VTI have a correlation of 0.34, 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 VTI?

REIT has higher volatility (3.88%) compared to VTI (2.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REIT dropped -29.30% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which ETF is better, REIT or VTI?

On 5-year performance, VTI leads with 13.05% vs 4.38% for REIT. On fees, VTI is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VTI has been the lower-risk option at 2.86%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, REIT or VTI?

Over the 5-year period, VTI has performed better with a 13.05% return vs 4.38%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, REIT or VTI?

VTI is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for REIT.

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

REIT has the higher dividend yield at 2.80%, compared with 1.01% for VTI.

What is the main difference between REIT and VTI?

REIT is categorized as REIT, while VTI is Large Cap Blend Equities. They also come from different issuers: ALPS and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.68% for REIT and 0.03% for VTI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VTI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.48 vs 1.02), 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.