SWASX vs. VNQ
SWASX (Schwab Global Real Estate Fund™) and VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) are both REIT funds. Over the past 10 years, SWASX returned 3.61%/yr vs 5.31%/yr for VNQ. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. SWASX charges 1.05%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VNQ.
Performance
SWASX vs. VNQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, SWASX achieves a 6.78% return, which is significantly lower than VNQ's 10.32% return. Over the past 10 years, SWASX has underperformed VNQ with an annualized return of 3.61%, while VNQ has yielded a comparatively higher 5.31% annualized return.
SWASX
- 1D
- -0.28%
- 1M
- -1.66%
- YTD
- 6.78%
- 6M
- 7.10%
- 1Y
- 12.37%
- 3Y*
- 8.36%
- 5Y*
- 1.29%
- 10Y*
- 3.61%
VNQ
- 1D
- 1.08%
- 1M
- -0.19%
- YTD
- 10.32%
- 6M
- 10.63%
- 1Y
- 11.80%
- 3Y*
- 10.81%
- 5Y*
- 2.52%
- 10Y*
- 5.31%
SWASX vs. VNQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SWASX Schwab Global Real Estate Fund™ | 6.78% | 11.33% | 1.42% | 8.49% | -25.10% | 25.32% | -12.10% | 27.81% | -7.66% | 14.38% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 10.32% | 3.24% | 4.81% | 11.85% | -26.25% | 40.54% | -4.61% | 28.91% | -6.03% | 4.90% |
Correlation
The correlation between SWASX and VNQ is 0.88, 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 | 0.88 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.90 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.92 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.89 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2007 | 0.88 |
The correlation between SWASX and VNQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.92 - a consistent structural relationship.
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Return for Risk
SWASX vs. VNQ — Risk / Return Rank
SWASX
VNQ
SWASX vs. VNQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Schwab Global Real Estate Fund™ (SWASX) and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ). 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.
| SWASX | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.19 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.25 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.16 | +0.04 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.11 | 1.42 | -0.31 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.16 | 4.45 | -0.29 |
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Drawdowns
SWASX vs. VNQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum SWASX drawdown since its inception was -69.47%, roughly equal to the maximum VNQ drawdown of -73.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SWASX and VNQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| SWASX | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -69.47% | -73.07% | +3.60% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -10.89% | -8.34% | -2.55% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.23% | -17.46% | +0.23% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.31% | -34.48% | +2.17% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.19% | -42.40% | -1.79% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.14% | -1.95% | -2.19% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.48% | -13.60% | -1.88% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.90% | 2.66% | +0.24% |
Volatility
SWASX vs. VNQ - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Schwab Global Real Estate Fund™ (SWASX) is 4.15%, while Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) has a volatility of 5.03%. This indicates that SWASX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VNQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| SWASX | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.15% | 5.03% | -0.88% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 8.92% | 10.15% | -1.23% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.55% | 13.81% | -2.26% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.47% | 18.85% | -3.38% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.10% | 20.75% | -3.65% |
SWASX vs. VNQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
SWASX has a 1.05% expense ratio, which is higher than VNQ's 0.13% expense ratio.
Dividends
SWASX vs. VNQ - Dividend Comparison
SWASX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%, less than VNQ's 3.61% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SWASX Schwab Global Real Estate Fund™ | 3.26% | 3.11% | 3.32% | 3.29% | 3.00% | 3.71% | 2.94% | 7.38% | 4.24% | 3.32% | 4.67% | 3.00% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 3.61% | 3.92% | 3.85% | 3.95% | 3.91% | 2.56% | 3.93% | 3.39% | 4.74% | 4.23% | 4.82% | 3.92% |
Frequently Asked Questions
SWASX and VNQ have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VNQ has higher volatility (5.03%) compared to SWASX (4.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SWASX dropped -69.47% vs VNQ's -73.07%.
SWASX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.05 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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