T vs. VNQ
T (AT&T Inc.) is a stock, while VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) is REIT fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, T returned 2.86%/yr vs 5.30%/yr for VNQ. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
T vs. VNQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, T achieves a -7.40% return, which is significantly lower than VNQ's 9.04% return. Over the past 10 years, T has underperformed VNQ with an annualized return of 2.86%, while VNQ has yielded a comparatively higher 5.30% annualized return.
T
- 1D
- -1.10%
- 1M
- -10.57%
- YTD
- -7.40%
- 6M
- -7.40%
- 1Y
- -16.38%
- 3Y*
- 18.39%
- 5Y*
- 6.60%
- 10Y*
- 2.86%
VNQ
- 1D
- -1.36%
- 1M
- -1.19%
- YTD
- 9.04%
- 6M
- 9.17%
- 1Y
- 10.45%
- 3Y*
- 9.24%
- 5Y*
- 1.97%
- 10Y*
- 5.30%
T vs. VNQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T AT&T Inc. | -7.40% | 13.97% | 44.08% | -2.74% | 5.76% | -8.09% | -21.37% | 45.55% | -22.25% | -4.01% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 9.04% | 3.24% | 4.81% | 11.85% | -26.25% | 40.54% | -4.61% | 28.91% | -6.03% | 4.90% |
Correlation
The correlation between T and VNQ is 0.21, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.21 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.37 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 29, 2004 | 0.42 |
Over the past year, the correlation between T and VNQ has dropped to 0.21 - well below their long-term average of 0.42, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
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Return for Risk
T vs. VNQ — Risk / Return Rank
T
VNQ
T vs. VNQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AT&T Inc. (T) 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.
| T | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -1.54 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -2.13 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 0.89 | 1.14 | -0.26 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.75 | 1.26 | -2.01 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -1.59 | 3.96 | -5.54 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| T | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | -0.75 | 0.79 | -1.54 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.28 | 0.11 | +0.17 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.12 | 0.26 | -0.14 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.38 | 0.27 | +0.11 |
Drawdowns
T vs. VNQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum T drawdown since its inception was -64.15%, smaller than the maximum VNQ drawdown of -73.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for T and VNQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| T | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -64.15% | -73.07% | +8.92% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -21.87% | -8.34% | -13.53% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -21.87% | -17.46% | -4.41% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -32.01% | -34.48% | +2.47% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.35% | -42.40% | +0.05% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -21.87% | -2.67% | -19.20% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.72% | -13.62% | -2.10% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 10.34% | 2.65% | +7.69% |
Volatility
T vs. VNQ - Volatility Comparison
AT&T Inc. (T) has a higher volatility of 7.50% compared to Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) at 4.13%. This indicates that T's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier 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
| T | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.50% | 4.13% | +3.37% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.57% | 9.53% | +8.04% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.98% | 13.38% | +8.60% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 23.97% | 18.82% | +5.15% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.71% | 20.71% | +3.00% |
Dividends
T vs. VNQ - Dividend Comparison
T's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.93%, more than VNQ's 3.65% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T AT&T Inc. | 4.93% | 4.47% | 4.87% | 6.62% | 6.66% | 8.46% | 7.23% | 5.22% | 7.01% | 5.04% | 4.51% | 5.46% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 3.65% | 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
T and VNQ have a correlation of 0.21, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
T has higher volatility (7.50%) compared to VNQ (4.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, T dropped -64.15% vs VNQ's -73.07%.
VNQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.79 vs -0.75), 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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