RERFX vs. VGSNX
RERFX (American Funds Real Estate Index Fund Class R-6) and VGSNX (Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both REIT funds. Over the past 10 years, RERFX returned 9.88%/yr vs 5.31%/yr for VGSNX. A 0.52 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RERFX charges 0.29%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VGSNX.
Performance
RERFX vs. VGSNX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RERFX achieves a 13.55% return, which is significantly higher than VGSNX's 10.34% return. Over the past 10 years, RERFX has outperformed VGSNX with an annualized return of 9.88%, while VGSNX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.31% annualized 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%
VGSNX
- 1D
- 1.10%
- 1M
- -0.19%
- YTD
- 10.34%
- 6M
- 10.74%
- 1Y
- 10.24%
- 3Y*
- 10.83%
- 5Y*
- 2.55%
- 10Y*
- 5.31%
RERFX vs. VGSNX - 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% | 31.10% |
VGSNX Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares | 10.34% | 3.21% | 3.72% | 13.12% | -26.19% | 40.46% | -4.76% | 28.98% | -5.97% | 4.90% |
Correlation
The correlation between RERFX and VGSNX 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 | 0.43 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.52 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.45 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 3, 2003 | 0.52 |
The correlation between RERFX and VGSNX shifts across timeframes, from 0.34 (1 year) to 0.52 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
RERFX vs. VGSNX — Risk / Return Rank
RERFX
VGSNX
RERFX vs. VGSNX - 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 Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares (VGSNX). 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 | VGSNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.05 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.40 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.36 | 1.16 | +0.20 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.51 | 1.42 | +1.09 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 9.33 | 4.44 | +4.89 |
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Drawdowns
RERFX vs. VGSNX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RERFX drawdown since its inception was -53.80%, smaller than the maximum VGSNX drawdown of -73.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RERFX and VGSNX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RERFX | VGSNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -53.80% | -73.06% | +19.26% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.53% | -8.34% | -4.19% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -15.62% | -17.41% | +1.79% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -37.32% | -34.39% | -2.93% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -37.32% | -42.30% | +4.98% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -1.99% | +1.99% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.00% | -13.26% | +2.26% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 3.36% | 2.66% | +0.70% |
Volatility
RERFX vs. VGSNX - Volatility Comparison
American Funds Real Estate Index Fund Class R-6 (RERFX) has a higher volatility of 6.77% compared to Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares (VGSNX) at 5.01%. This indicates that RERFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGSNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| RERFX | VGSNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.77% | 5.01% | +1.76% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.29% | 10.14% | +4.15% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.50% | 13.81% | +2.69% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 16.89% | 18.92% | -2.03% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.00% | 20.95% | -3.95% |
RERFX vs. VGSNX - Expense Ratio Comparison
RERFX has a 0.29% expense ratio, which is higher than VGSNX's 0.10% expense ratio.
Dividends
RERFX vs. VGSNX - Dividend Comparison
RERFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 16.16%, more than VGSNX's 3.63% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
VGSNX Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares | 3.63% | 3.94% | 3.87% | 3.93% | 3.94% | 2.57% | 3.95% | 3.40% | 4.75% | 4.26% | 4.84% | 3.94% |
Frequently Asked Questions
RERFX and VGSNX 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.
RERFX has higher volatility (6.77%) compared to VGSNX (5.01%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RERFX dropped -53.80% vs VGSNX's -73.06%.
RERFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 0.86), 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.
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