SAREX vs. VGSNX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

SAREX (SA Real Estate Securities Fund) and VGSNX (Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both REIT funds. Over the past 10 years, SAREX returned 5.08%/yr vs 5.20%/yr for VGSNX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. SAREX charges 0.75%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VGSNX.

Performance

SAREX vs. VGSNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in SA Real Estate Securities Fund (SAREX) and Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares (VGSNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SAREX achieves a 11.04% return, which is significantly higher than VGSNX's 7.79% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with SAREX having a 5.08% annualized return and VGSNX not far ahead at 5.20%.

SAREX

• 1D: -0.08%
• 1M: -0.98%
• YTD: 11.04%
• 6M: 10.28%
• 1Y: 10.37%
• 3Y*: 8.97%
• 5Y*: 2.33%
• 10Y*: 5.08%

VGSNX

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -1.43%
• YTD: 7.79%
• 6M: 6.96%
• 1Y: 9.66%
• 3Y*: 9.14%
• 5Y*: 2.19%
• 10Y*: 5.20%

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

SAREX vs. VGSNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SAREX SA Real Estate Securities Fund	11.04%	0.73%	4.61%	10.60%	-25.42%	40.94%	-6.22%	26.91%	-4.00%	4.61%
VGSNX Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares	7.79%	3.21%	3.72%	13.12%	-26.19%	40.46%	-4.76%	28.98%	-5.97%	4.90%

Correlation

The correlation between SAREX and VGSNX is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 3, 2008	0.98

The correlation between SAREX and VGSNX shifts across timeframes, from 0.85 (1 year) to 0.98 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

SAREX vs. VGSNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SAREX

SAREX Risk / Return Rank: 9
SAREX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
SAREX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
SAREX Omega Ratio Rank: 11
SAREX Calmar Ratio Rank: 10
SAREX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

VGSNX

VGSNX Risk / Return Rank: 11
VGSNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
VGSNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 9
VGSNX Omega Ratio Rank: 9
VGSNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
VGSNX Martin Ratio Rank: 13

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.

SAREX vs. VGSNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for SA Real Estate Securities Fund (SAREX) 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.

	SAREX	VGSNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.46	0.76	-0.30
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.83	1.12	-0.29
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.14	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.86	1.20	-0.34
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.06	3.79	-0.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SAREX vs. VGSNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SAREX Sharpe Ratio is 0.46, which is lower than the VGSNX Sharpe Ratio of 0.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SAREX and VGSNX, 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

	SAREX	VGSNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46	0.76	-0.30
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11	0.12	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.24	0.25	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.20	0.28	-0.08

Drawdowns

SAREX vs. VGSNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SAREX drawdown since its inception was -68.50%, smaller than the maximum VGSNX drawdown of -73.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SAREX and VGSNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SAREX	VGSNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-68.50%	-73.06%	+4.56%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-13.63%	-8.34%	-5.29%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.07%	-17.41%	-0.66%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.87%	-34.39%	+0.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.56%	-42.30%	+0.74%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.73%	-3.66%	-2.07%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.57%	-13.29%	+0.72%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.68%	2.65%	+1.03%

Volatility

SAREX vs. VGSNX - Volatility Comparison

SA Real Estate Securities Fund (SAREX) has a higher volatility of 3.90% compared to Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares (VGSNX) at 3.70%. This indicates that SAREX'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.

Volatility by Period

	SAREX	VGSNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.90%	3.70%	+0.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.63%	9.24%	+13.39%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.51%	13.16%	+12.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.36%	18.87%	+2.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.78%	20.90%	+0.88%

SAREX vs. VGSNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SAREX has a 0.75% expense ratio, which is higher than VGSNX's 0.10% expense ratio.

Dividends

SAREX vs. VGSNX - Dividend Comparison

SAREX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.90%, less than VGSNX's 3.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SAREX SA Real Estate Securities Fund	2.90%	3.22%	3.22%	3.04%	7.62%	8.33%	3.87%	4.29%	3.98%	2.90%	3.67%	1.80%
VGSNX Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares	3.71%	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

Can I hold both SAREX and VGSNX in my portfolio?

SAREX and VGSNX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SAREX or VGSNX?

SAREX has higher volatility (3.90%) compared to VGSNX (3.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SAREX dropped -68.50% vs VGSNX's -73.06%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VGSNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.76 vs 0.46), 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.