REM vs. IYR
REM (iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF) and IYR (iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF) are both REIT funds from iShares - REM tracks the FTSE NAREIT All Mortgage Capped Index while IYR tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Capped Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, REM returned 2.31%/yr vs 5.25%/yr for IYR. Their 0.67 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. REM charges 0.48%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for IYR.
Performance
REM vs. IYR - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, REM achieves a -0.06% return, which is significantly lower than IYR's 12.79% return. Over the past 10 years, REM has underperformed IYR with an annualized return of 2.31%, while IYR has yielded a comparatively higher 5.25% annualized return.
REM
- 1D
- -1.19%
- 1M
- -2.45%
- 6M
- -2.60%
- YTD
- -0.06%
- 1Y
- 7.95%
- 3Y*
- 5.22%
- 5Y*
- -1.65%
- 10Y*
- 2.31%
- ALL TIME*
- -1.23%
IYR
- 1D
- -0.55%
- 1M
- 1.04%
- 6M
- 10.07%
- YTD
- 12.79%
- 1Y
- 13.51%
- 3Y*
- 8.91%
- 5Y*
- 2.27%
- 10Y*
- 5.25%
- ALL TIME*
- 8.50%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $552.74M | $542.01M | $578.13M | |
| $13.23M | $11.87M | $10.10M |
REM vs. IYR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
REM iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF | -0.06% | 13.30% | -1.00% | 14.43% | -27.56% | 16.14% | -19.99% | 21.34% | -3.09% | 18.43% |
IYR iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF | 12.79% | 3.38% | 4.41% | 11.89% | -25.51% | 38.74% | -5.23% | 28.21% | -4.33% | 9.31% |
Correlation
The correlation between REM and IYR is 0.58, 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. | 0.58 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.65 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.67 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.62 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2007 | 0.67 |
The correlation between REM and IYR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.58 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.
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
REM vs. IYR — Risk / Return Rank
REM
IYR
REM vs. IYR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF (REM) and iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF (IYR). 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.
| REM | IYR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.47 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.63 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.09 | 1.17 | -0.08 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.59 | 1.57 | -0.98 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.49 | 5.04 | -3.55 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
REM vs. IYR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum REM drawdown since its inception was -74.73%, roughly equal to the maximum IYR drawdown of -74.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for REM and IYR.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| REM | IYR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -74.73% | -74.13% | -0.60% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.25% | -8.54% | -5.71% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.19% | -16.91% | -3.28% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -43.31% | -33.75% | -9.56% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -68.52% | -42.32% | -26.20% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -22.26% | -2.02% | -20.24% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -38.20% | -12.83% | -25.37% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.62% | 2.65% | +2.97% |
Volatility
REM vs. IYR - Volatility Comparison
iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF (REM) has a higher volatility of 4.93% compared to iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF (IYR) at 4.56%. This indicates that REM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IYR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| REM | IYR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.93% | 4.56% | +0.37% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 13.30% | 10.87% | +2.43% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 17.16% | 14.01% | +3.15% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.45% | 18.82% | +4.63% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 28.31% | 20.38% | +7.93% |
REM vs. IYR - Expense Ratio Comparison
REM has a 0.48% expense ratio, which is higher than IYR's 0.38% expense ratio.
Dividends
REM vs. IYR - Dividend Comparison
REM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.02%, more than IYR's 2.15% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IYR iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF | 2.15% | 2.48% | 2.57% | 2.75% | 2.92% | 2.06% | 2.58% | 3.05% | 3.53% | 3.73% | 4.41% | 3.92% |
REM iShares Mortgage Real Estate ETF | 9.02% | 8.70% | 9.61% | 9.46% | 11.13% | 7.29% | 7.72% | 8.16% | 10.00% | 9.97% | 10.03% | 11.99% |
Frequently Asked Questions
REM and IYR have a correlation of 0.58, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
REM has higher volatility (4.93%) compared to IYR (4.56%). In terms of maximum drawdown, REM dropped -74.73% vs IYR's -74.13%.
On 10-year performance, IYR leads with 5.25% vs 2.31% for REM. On fees, IYR is cheaper at 0.38% per year. On volatility, IYR has been the lower-risk option at 4.56%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, IYR has performed better with a 5.25% return vs 2.31%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
IYR is cheaper with a 0.38% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for REM.
REM has the higher dividend yield at 9.02%, compared with 2.15% for IYR.
REM tracks FTSE NAREIT All Mortgage Capped Index, while IYR tracks Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Capped Index. Their fees differ too: 0.48% for REM and 0.38% for IYR.
IYR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.96 vs 0.49), 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 REM and IYR
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