RERFX vs. FTKFX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

RERFX (American Funds Real Estate Index Fund Class R-6) and FTKFX (Fidelity Total Bond K6 Fund) are both mutual funds - RERFX is a REIT fund managed by American Funds, while FTKFX is a Total Bond Market fund managed by Fidelity. Over the past 5 years, RERFX returned 5.48%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for FTKFX. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. RERFX charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for FTKFX.

Performance

RERFX vs. FTKFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Funds Real Estate Index Fund Class R-6 (RERFX) and Fidelity Total Bond K6 Fund (FTKFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RERFX achieves a 13.55% return, which is significantly higher than FTKFX's 0.35% return.

RERFX

• 1D: 0.81%
• 1M: 4.71%
• YTD: 13.55%
• 6M: 13.61%
• 1Y: 30.91%
• 3Y*: 16.79%
• 5Y*: 5.48%
• 10Y*: 9.88%

FTKFX

• 1D: -0.34%
• 1M: 0.61%
• YTD: 0.35%
• 6M: 0.72%
• 1Y: 4.80%
• 3Y*: 4.62%
• 5Y*: 0.60%
• 10Y*: —

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

RERFX vs. FTKFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RERFX American Funds Real Estate Index Fund Class R-6	13.55%	29.26%	2.96%	16.02%	-22.81%	2.81%	25.20%	27.36%	-17.37%	11.07%
FTKFX Fidelity Total Bond K6 Fund	0.35%	7.53%	2.36%	6.65%	-13.23%	-0.46%	8.75%	10.03%	-0.75%	1.14%

Correlation

The correlation between RERFX and FTKFX 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	0.26
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 5, 2017	0.13

Over the past year, RERFX and FTKFX have become more correlated (0.34) than their long-term average of 0.13, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

RERFX vs. FTKFX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RERFX

RERFX Risk / Return Rank: 48
RERFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
RERFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
RERFX Omega Ratio Rank: 50
RERFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
RERFX Martin Ratio Rank: 47

FTKFX

FTKFX Risk / Return Rank: 23
FTKFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
FTKFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
FTKFX Omega Ratio Rank: 20
FTKFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
FTKFX Martin Ratio Rank: 21

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.

RERFX vs. FTKFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds Real Estate Index Fund Class R-6 (RERFX) and Fidelity Total Bond K6 Fund (FTKFX). 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.

	RERFX	FTKFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.91	1.25	+0.65
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.66	1.87	+0.79
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.36	1.22	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.51	1.76	+0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.33	4.94	+4.39

RERFX vs. FTKFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RERFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is higher than the FTKFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RERFX and FTKFX, 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

RERFX vs. FTKFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RERFX drawdown since its inception was -53.80%, which is greater than FTKFX's maximum drawdown of -17.81%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RERFX and FTKFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RERFX	FTKFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.80%	-17.81%	-35.99%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.53%	-2.82%	-9.71%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.62%	-5.77%	-9.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.32%	-17.81%	-19.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.32%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.55%	+1.55%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.00%	-4.17%	-6.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.36%	1.00%	+2.36%

Volatility

RERFX vs. FTKFX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Real Estate Index Fund Class R-6 (RERFX) has a higher volatility of 6.77% compared to Fidelity Total Bond K6 Fund (FTKFX) at 1.18%. This indicates that RERFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FTKFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RERFX	FTKFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.77%	1.18%	+5.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.29%	2.97%	+11.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.50%	3.97%	+12.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.89%	5.67%	+11.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.00%	4.91%	+12.09%

RERFX vs. FTKFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RERFX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is lower than FTKFX's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

RERFX vs. FTKFX - Dividend Comparison

RERFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.16%, more than FTKFX's 4.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FTKFX Fidelity Total Bond K6 Fund	4.62%	4.61%	4.76%	3.86%	2.53%	2.24%	5.51%	3.26%	2.94%	1.63%	0.00%	0.00%
RERFX American Funds Real Estate Index Fund Class R-6	16.16%	13.93%	4.90%	3.90%	1.98%	10.14%	0.38%	3.10%	3.11%	4.94%	1.58%	3.38%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RERFX and FTKFX in my portfolio?

RERFX and FTKFX 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, RERFX or FTKFX?

RERFX has higher volatility (6.77%) compared to FTKFX (1.18%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RERFX dropped -53.80% vs FTKFX's -17.81%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RERFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.25), 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.