RERFX vs. VGRLX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RERFX (American Funds Real Estate Index Fund Class R-6) and VGRLX (Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both REIT funds. Over the past 10 years, RERFX returned 9.15%/yr vs 2.44%/yr for VGRLX. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RERFX charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.12%/yr for VGRLX.

Performance

RERFX vs. VGRLX - 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 Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGRLX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RERFX achieves a 12.30% return, which is significantly higher than VGRLX's -1.15% return. Over the past 10 years, RERFX has outperformed VGRLX with an annualized return of 9.15%, while VGRLX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.44% annualized return.

RERFX

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: 6.74%
• YTD: 12.30%
• 6M: 15.02%
• 1Y: 29.33%
• 3Y*: 16.30%
• 5Y*: 5.31%
• 10Y*: 9.15%

VGRLX

• 1D: -0.22%
• 1M: -3.13%
• YTD: -1.15%
• 6M: -0.08%
• 1Y: 7.24%
• 3Y*: 8.63%
• 5Y*: -1.23%
• 10Y*: 2.44%

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

RERFX vs. VGRLX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RERFX American Funds Real Estate Index Fund Class R-6	12.30%	29.26%	2.96%	16.02%	-22.81%	2.81%	25.20%	27.36%	-17.37%	31.10%
VGRLX Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares	-1.15%	22.00%	-2.42%	6.19%	-22.36%	5.65%	-6.91%	21.44%	-9.55%	26.53%

Correlation

The correlation between RERFX and VGRLX is 0.69, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.69
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 2, 2010	0.78

The correlation between RERFX and VGRLX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.78 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RERFX vs. VGRLX — Risk / Return Rank

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

RERFX

RERFX Risk / Return Rank: 40
RERFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 41
RERFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 41
RERFX Omega Ratio Rank: 42
RERFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
RERFX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

VGRLX

VGRLX Risk / Return Rank: 6
VGRLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
VGRLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
VGRLX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
VGRLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
VGRLX Martin Ratio Rank: 5

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. VGRLX - 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 Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGRLX). 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.

	RERFX	VGRLX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.88	0.55	+1.33
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	0.89	+1.79
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.11	+0.24
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.31	0.46	+1.85
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.71	1.45	+7.27
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RERFX vs. VGRLX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RERFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.88, which is higher than the VGRLX Sharpe Ratio of 0.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RERFX and VGRLX, 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

	RERFX	VGRLX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.88	0.55	+1.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	-0.09	+0.41
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.17	+0.38
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.44	0.22	+0.22

Drawdowns

RERFX vs. VGRLX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RERFX drawdown since its inception was -53.80%, which is greater than VGRLX's maximum drawdown of -38.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RERFX and VGRLX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RERFX	VGRLX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-53.80%	-38.77%	-15.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.53%	-14.35%	+1.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.62%	-15.81%	+0.19%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-37.32%	-35.54%	-1.78%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.32%	-38.77%	+1.45%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-10.41%	+10.41%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.02%	-10.85%	-0.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.32%	4.60%	-1.28%

Volatility

RERFX vs. VGRLX - Volatility Comparison

American Funds Real Estate Index Fund Class R-6 (RERFX) has a higher volatility of 5.40% compared to Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares (VGRLX) at 3.81%. This indicates that RERFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGRLX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RERFX	VGRLX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.40%	3.81%	+1.59%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.93%	10.17%	+2.76%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.38%	12.07%	+3.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.67%	13.99%	+2.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.94%	14.78%	+2.16%

RERFX vs. VGRLX - Expense Ratio Comparison

RERFX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than VGRLX's 0.12% expense ratio.

Dividends

RERFX vs. VGRLX - Dividend Comparison

RERFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 12.41%, more than VGRLX's 4.75% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RERFX American Funds Real Estate Index Fund Class R-6	12.41%	13.93%	4.90%	3.90%	1.98%	10.14%	0.38%	3.10%	3.11%	4.94%	1.58%	3.38%
VGRLX Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares	4.75%	4.69%	5.17%	3.74%	0.56%	6.49%	0.92%	7.76%	4.62%	3.86%	5.17%	2.84%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RERFX and VGRLX in my portfolio?

RERFX and VGRLX have a correlation of 0.69, 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 VGRLX?

RERFX has higher volatility (5.40%) compared to VGRLX (3.81%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RERFX dropped -53.80% vs VGRLX's -38.77%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RERFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.88 vs 0.55), 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.