RWR vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

RWR (SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RWR is a REIT fund tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select REIT Index, while VEA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RWR returned 5.15%/yr vs 10.17%/yr for VEA. A 0.57 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RWR charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

RWR vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF (RWR) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RWR achieves a 11.08% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 14.92% return. Over the past 10 years, RWR has underperformed VEA with an annualized return of 5.15%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively higher 10.17% annualized return.

RWR

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: -0.13%
• YTD: 11.08%
• 6M: 9.50%
• 1Y: 15.44%
• 3Y*: 11.00%
• 5Y*: 4.15%
• 10Y*: 5.15%

VEA

• 1D: -0.90%
• 1M: 5.54%
• YTD: 14.92%
• 6M: 18.15%
• 1Y: 32.48%
• 3Y*: 19.77%
• 5Y*: 9.60%
• 10Y*: 10.17%

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

RWR vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RWR SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF	11.08%	3.20%	7.74%	13.76%	-26.09%	45.47%	-11.40%	22.71%	-4.47%	3.47%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	14.92%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between RWR and VEA is 0.45, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.45
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.51
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 27, 2007	0.57

The correlation between RWR and VEA shifts across timeframes, from 0.45 (1 year) to 0.58 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RWR vs. VEA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RWR	VEA
Real Estate	98.6%	2.7%
Financial Services	0.0%	23.3%
Utilities	0.0%	3.3%
Basic Materials	-	7.5%
Communication Services	-	3.4%
Consumer Cyclical	-	7.5%
Consumer Defensive	-	5.6%
Energy	-	5.4%
Healthcare	-	8.2%
Industrials	-	19.2%
Technology	-	13.8%

Return for Risk

RWR vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

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

RWR

RWR Risk / Return Rank: 34
RWR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
RWR Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
RWR Omega Ratio Rank: 29
RWR Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
RWR Martin Ratio Rank: 41

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 59
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

RWR vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF (RWR) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

	RWR	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.16	2.09	-0.93
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.63	2.87	-1.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.38	-0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.93	2.81	-0.88
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.55	10.94	-4.39
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RWR vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RWR Sharpe Ratio is 1.16, which is lower than the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 2.09. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RWR and VEA, 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

	RWR	VEA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.16	2.09	-0.93
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.22	0.58	-0.36
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24	0.59	-0.35
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.31	0.25	+0.06

Drawdowns

RWR vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RWR drawdown since its inception was -74.92%, which is greater than VEA's maximum drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RWR and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	RWR	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.92%	-60.68%	-14.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.04%	-11.63%	+3.59%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.85%	-13.45%	-5.40%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-32.58%	-29.71%	-2.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.39%	-35.73%	-8.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.09%	-0.90%	-2.19%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.11%	-13.29%	+0.18%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.36%	2.98%	-0.62%

Volatility

RWR vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF (RWR) is 4.09%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 5.66%. This indicates that RWR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RWR	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.09%	5.66%	-1.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.51%	13.32%	-3.81%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.39%	15.66%	-2.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.01%	16.55%	+2.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.51%	17.36%	+4.15%

RWR vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

RWR has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

RWR vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

RWR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.44%, more than VEA's 2.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RWR SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF	3.44%	3.78%	3.76%	3.75%	3.81%	2.79%	3.73%	3.36%	4.19%	3.05%	4.39%	3.17%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.62%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RWR and VEA in my portfolio?

RWR and VEA have a correlation of 0.45, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RWR or VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (5.66%) compared to RWR (4.09%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RWR dropped -74.92% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which ETF is better, RWR or VEA?

On 10-year performance, VEA leads with 10.17% vs 5.15% for RWR. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, RWR has been the lower-risk option at 4.09%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RWR or VEA?

Over the 10-year period, VEA has performed better with a 10.17% return vs 5.15%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RWR or VEA?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.25% for RWR.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RWR or VEA?

RWR has the higher dividend yield at 3.44%, compared with 2.62% for VEA.

What is the main difference between RWR and VEA?

RWR is categorized as REIT, while VEA is Foreign Large Cap Equities. RWR tracks Dow Jones U.S. Select REIT Index, while VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: State Street and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for RWR and 0.03% for VEA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.09 vs 1.16), 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.