USRT vs. GQRE

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

USRT (iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF) and GQRE (FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund) are both REIT funds - USRT tracks the FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index while GQRE tracks the Northern Trust Global Quality Real Estate (NR). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, USRT returned 6.21%/yr vs 3.78%/yr for GQRE. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. USRT charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for GQRE.

Performance

USRT vs. GQRE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT) and FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund (GQRE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, USRT achieves a 12.59% return, which is significantly higher than GQRE's 7.34% return. Over the past 10 years, USRT has outperformed GQRE with an annualized return of 6.21%, while GQRE has yielded a comparatively lower 3.78% annualized return.

USRT

• 1D: 0.08%
• 1M: -0.19%
• YTD: 12.59%
• 6M: 11.36%
• 1Y: 15.26%
• 3Y*: 11.53%
• 5Y*: 4.73%
• 10Y*: 6.21%

GQRE

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: -1.32%
• YTD: 7.34%
• 6M: 7.63%
• 1Y: 11.71%
• 3Y*: 10.30%
• 5Y*: 1.99%
• 10Y*: 3.78%

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

USRT vs. GQRE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
USRT iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF	12.59%	2.44%	8.58%	13.64%	-24.43%	43.26%	-8.06%	25.98%	-4.67%	5.27%
GQRE FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund	7.34%	8.27%	6.09%	9.21%	-27.22%	32.01%	-9.17%	21.84%	-8.88%	13.60%

Correlation

The correlation between USRT and GQRE is 0.90, 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	0.90
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.94
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 2013	0.88

The correlation between USRT and GQRE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

USRT vs. GQRE - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	USRT	GQRE
Real Estate	99.4%	87.9%
Financial Services	0.1%	2.0%
Basic Materials	-	0.0%
Communication Services	-	0.5%
Consumer Cyclical	-	1.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.5%
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	0.6%
Industrials	-	0.2%
Technology	-	0.8%
Utilities	-	0.5%

Return for Risk

USRT vs. GQRE — Risk / Return Rank

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

USRT

USRT Risk / Return Rank: 33
USRT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
USRT Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
USRT Omega Ratio Rank: 29
USRT Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
USRT Martin Ratio Rank: 38

GQRE

GQRE Risk / Return Rank: 27
GQRE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 28
GQRE Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
GQRE Omega Ratio Rank: 26
GQRE Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
GQRE Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

USRT vs. GQRE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT) and FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund (GQRE). 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.

	USRT	GQRE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.15	1.01	+0.14
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.63	1.43	+0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.20	1.18	+0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.91	1.16	+0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.15	4.42	+1.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

USRT vs. GQRE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current USRT Sharpe Ratio is 1.15, which is comparable to the GQRE Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of USRT and GQRE, 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

	USRT	GQRE	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.15	1.01	+0.14
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.12	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.29	0.21	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.18	0.30	-0.11

Drawdowns

USRT vs. GQRE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum USRT drawdown since its inception was -69.91%, which is greater than GQRE's maximum drawdown of -41.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USRT and GQRE.

Drawdown Indicators

	USRT	GQRE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.91%	-41.87%	-28.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.04%	-10.15%	+2.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.70%	-16.17%	-2.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.03%	-35.08%	+4.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.38%	-41.87%	-2.51%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.01%	-3.43%	+0.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.97%	-9.24%	-3.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.49%	2.66%	-0.17%

Volatility

USRT vs. GQRE - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT) has a higher volatility of 3.92% compared to FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund (GQRE) at 3.53%. This indicates that USRT's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than GQRE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	USRT	GQRE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.92%	3.53%	+0.39%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.25%	8.77%	+0.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.28%	11.64%	+1.64%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.89%	16.45%	+2.44%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.28%	17.66%	+3.62%

USRT vs. GQRE - Expense Ratio Comparison

USRT has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is lower than GQRE's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

USRT vs. GQRE - Dividend Comparison

USRT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.67%, less than GQRE's 4.36% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
GQRE FlexShares Global Quality Real Estate Index Fund	4.36%	4.75%	3.77%	2.91%	2.56%	2.36%	2.05%	4.29%	3.22%	1.97%	4.16%	2.32%
USRT iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF	2.67%	3.07%	2.85%	3.18%	3.46%	2.27%	3.12%	3.34%	5.66%	3.44%	3.98%	3.59%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both USRT and GQRE in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.90, USRT and GQRE 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, USRT or GQRE?

USRT has higher volatility (3.92%) compared to GQRE (3.53%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USRT dropped -69.91% vs GQRE's -41.87%.

Which ETF is better, USRT or GQRE?

On 10-year performance, USRT leads with 6.21% vs 3.78% for GQRE. On fees, USRT is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, GQRE has been the lower-risk option at 3.53%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, USRT or GQRE?

Over the 10-year period, USRT has performed better with a 6.21% return vs 3.78%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, USRT or GQRE?

USRT is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for GQRE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, USRT or GQRE?

GQRE has the higher dividend yield at 4.36%, compared with 2.67% for USRT.

What is the main difference between USRT and GQRE?

USRT tracks FTSE NAREIT Equity REITs Index, while GQRE tracks Northern Trust Global Quality Real Estate (NR). They also come from different issuers: iShares and Northern Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for USRT and 0.45% for GQRE.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

USRT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.15 vs 1.01), 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.