REK vs. REIT

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

REK (ProShares Short Real Estate) and REIT (ALPS Active REIT ETF) are both REIT funds. REK is passively managed, while REIT is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, REK returned -0.24%/yr vs 5.07%/yr for REIT. At a correlation of -0.92, they often move in opposite directions. REK charges 0.95%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for REIT.

Performance

REK vs. REIT - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, REK achieves a -10.66% return, which is significantly lower than REIT's 21.18% return.

REK

• 1D: -1.96%
• 1M: -1.41%
• 6M: -7.93%
• YTD: -10.66%
• 1Y: -6.85%
• 3Y*: -3.67%
• 5Y*: -0.24%
• 10Y*: -5.95%

REIT

• 1D: 2.42%
• 1M: 3.83%
• 6M: 17.97%
• YTD: 21.18%
• 1Y: 22.66%
• 3Y*: 10.74%
• 5Y*: 5.07%
• 10Y*: —

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

REK vs. REIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
REK ProShares Short Real Estate	-10.66%	2.35%	1.42%	-6.61%	29.17%	-27.62%
REIT ALPS Active REIT ETF	21.18%	-0.55%	7.11%	13.74%	-21.23%	33.02%

Correlation

The correlation between REK and REIT is -0.93, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 26, 2021	-0.92

The correlation between REK and REIT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from -0.94 to -0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

REK vs. REIT — Risk / Return Rank

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

REK

REK Risk / Return Rank: 4
REK Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5
REK Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
REK Omega Ratio Rank: 5
REK Calmar Ratio Rank: 4
REK Martin Ratio Rank: 3

REIT

REIT Risk / Return Rank: 65
REIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
REIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
REIT Omega Ratio Rank: 61
REIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 76
REIT Martin Ratio Rank: 65

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.

REK vs. REIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ProShares Short Real Estate (REK) and ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT). 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.

	REK	REIT	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.48	1.68	-2.16
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-0.61	2.28	-2.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.93	1.30	-0.36
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.59	3.10	-3.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.24	9.14	-10.38

REK vs. REIT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current REK Sharpe Ratio is -0.48, which is lower than the REIT Sharpe Ratio of 1.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of REK and REIT, 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

REK vs. REIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum REK drawdown since its inception was -84.57%, which is greater than REIT's maximum drawdown of -29.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REK and REIT.

Drawdown Indicators

	REK	REIT	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-84.57%	-29.30%	-55.27%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.67%	-7.35%	-4.32%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-26.93%	-18.19%	-8.74%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.93%	-29.30%	+2.37%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-58.67%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-82.74%	0.00%	-82.74%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-64.19%	-10.17%	-54.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.52%	2.49%	+3.03%

Volatility

REK vs. REIT - Volatility Comparison

ProShares Short Real Estate (REK) has a higher volatility of 5.55% compared to ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT) at 5.19%. This indicates that REK's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than REIT based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	REK	REIT	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.55%	5.19%	+0.36%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.28%	10.49%	+0.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.39%	13.55%	+0.84%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.98%	18.57%	+0.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.36%	18.36%	+2.00%

REK vs. REIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

REK has a 0.95% expense ratio, which is higher than REIT's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

REK vs. REIT - Dividend Comparison

REK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.32%, more than REIT's 2.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
REIT ALPS Active REIT ETF	2.63%	3.20%	3.06%	3.13%	2.81%	4.71%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
REK ProShares Short Real Estate	3.32%	3.43%	6.22%	4.50%	0.48%	0.00%	0.07%	1.28%	0.43%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both REK and REIT in my portfolio?

REK and REIT have a correlation of -0.93, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, REK or REIT?

REK has higher volatility (5.55%) compared to REIT (5.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REK dropped -84.57% vs REIT's -29.30%.

Which ETF is better, REK or REIT?

On 5-year performance, REIT leads with 5.07% vs -0.24% for REK. On fees, REIT is cheaper at 0.68% per year. On volatility, REIT has been the lower-risk option at 5.19%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, REK or REIT?

Over the 5-year period, REIT has performed better with a 5.07% return vs -0.24%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, REK or REIT?

REIT is cheaper with a 0.68% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for REK.

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

REK has the higher dividend yield at 3.32%, compared with 2.63% for REIT.

What is the main difference between REK and REIT?

They also come from different issuers: ProShares and ALPS. Their fees differ too: 0.95% for REK and 0.68% for REIT.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

REIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.68 vs -0.48), 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.