TRREX vs. VNQ

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

TRREX (T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund) and VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) are both REIT funds. Over the past 10 years, TRREX returned 5.50%/yr vs 5.22%/yr for VNQ. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. TRREX charges 0.77%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VNQ.

Performance

TRREX vs. VNQ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund (TRREX) and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, TRREX achieves a 9.17% return, which is significantly higher than VNQ's 7.96% return. Over the past 10 years, TRREX has outperformed VNQ with an annualized return of 5.50%, while VNQ has yielded a comparatively lower 5.22% annualized return.

TRREX

• 1D: -1.61%
• 1M: -1.52%
• YTD: 9.17%
• 6M: 8.06%
• 1Y: 8.43%
• 3Y*: 8.07%
• 5Y*: 2.35%
• 10Y*: 5.50%

VNQ

• 1D: 0.46%
• 1M: -1.60%
• YTD: 7.96%
• 6M: 7.15%
• 1Y: 9.88%
• 3Y*: 9.19%
• 5Y*: 2.21%
• 10Y*: 5.22%

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

TRREX vs. VNQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
TRREX T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund	9.17%	-0.04%	3.54%	13.00%	-26.08%	47.34%	-11.42%	43.47%	-9.07%	3.38%
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF	7.96%	3.24%	4.81%	11.85%	-26.25%	40.54%	-4.61%	28.91%	-6.03%	4.90%

Correlation

The correlation between TRREX and VNQ is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.97
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2004	0.98

The correlation between TRREX and VNQ has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

TRREX vs. VNQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

TRREX

TRREX Risk / Return Rank: 9
TRREX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
TRREX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
TRREX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
TRREX Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
TRREX Martin Ratio Rank: 11

VNQ

VNQ Risk / Return Rank: 23
VNQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
VNQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
VNQ Omega Ratio Rank: 21
VNQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VNQ Martin Ratio Rank: 27

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.

TRREX vs. VNQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund (TRREX) 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.

	TRREX	VNQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.64	0.75	-0.11
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.95	1.11	-0.16
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.14	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.08	1.20	-0.12
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	3.34	3.80	-0.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

TRREX vs. VNQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current TRREX Sharpe Ratio is 0.64, which is comparable to the VNQ Sharpe Ratio of 0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of TRREX and VNQ, 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

	TRREX	VNQ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.64	0.75	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13	0.12	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25	0.25	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.26	+0.07

Drawdowns

TRREX vs. VNQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum TRREX drawdown since its inception was -75.30%, roughly equal to the maximum VNQ drawdown of -73.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for TRREX and VNQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	TRREX	VNQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-75.30%	-73.07%	-2.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.96%	-8.34%	+0.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.10%	-17.46%	-0.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-33.21%	-34.48%	+1.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.28%	-42.40%	+0.12%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.39%	-3.64%	-2.75%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.73%	-13.63%	+0.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.58%	2.64%	-0.06%

Volatility

TRREX vs. VNQ - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund (TRREX) and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) have volatilities of 3.74% and 3.77%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	TRREX	VNQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.74%	3.77%	-0.03%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.45%	9.33%	+0.12%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.35%	13.16%	+0.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.91%	18.80%	+0.11%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.86%	20.70%	+1.16%

TRREX vs. VNQ - Expense Ratio Comparison

TRREX has a 0.77% expense ratio, which is higher than VNQ's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

TRREX vs. VNQ - Dividend Comparison

TRREX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.70%, more than VNQ's 3.69% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
TRREX T. Rowe Price Real Estate Fund	6.70%	7.15%	9.44%	11.63%	25.52%	15.42%	41.93%	32.33%	5.73%	2.61%	2.28%	2.26%
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF	3.69%	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

Can I hold both TRREX and VNQ in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, TRREX and VNQ move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, TRREX or VNQ?

VNQ has higher volatility (3.77%) compared to TRREX (3.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, TRREX dropped -75.30% vs VNQ's -73.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VNQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.75 vs 0.64), 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.