USRT vs. VSS
USRT (iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF) and VSS (Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - USRT is a REIT fund tracking the FTSE Nareit Equity REITS 40 Act Capped Index, while VSS is a Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, USRT returned 6.67%/yr vs 8.49%/yr for VSS. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. USRT charges 0.08%/yr vs 0.07%/yr for VSS.
Performance
USRT vs. VSS - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, USRT achieves a 17.79% return, which is significantly higher than VSS's 10.04% return. Over the past 10 years, USRT has underperformed VSS with an annualized return of 6.67%, while VSS has yielded a comparatively higher 8.49% annualized return.
USRT
- 1D
- 0.94%
- 1M
- 5.04%
- YTD
- 17.79%
- 6M
- 17.95%
- 1Y
- 20.35%
- 3Y*
- 12.69%
- 5Y*
- 5.06%
- 10Y*
- 6.67%
VSS
- 1D
- 0.50%
- 1M
- 0.08%
- YTD
- 10.04%
- 6M
- 12.05%
- 1Y
- 24.95%
- 3Y*
- 15.73%
- 5Y*
- 5.58%
- 10Y*
- 8.49%
USRT vs. VSS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USRT iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF | 17.79% | 2.44% | 8.58% | 13.64% | -24.43% | 43.26% | -8.06% | 25.98% | -4.67% | 5.27% |
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF | 10.04% | 29.61% | 2.94% | 15.52% | -21.48% | 13.05% | 11.81% | 21.36% | -18.48% | 30.61% |
Correlation
The correlation between USRT and VSS is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.41 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.51 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.56 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.49 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2009 | 0.54 |
The correlation between USRT and VSS shifts across timeframes, from 0.41 (1 year) to 0.56 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
USRT vs. VSS — Risk / Return Rank
USRT
VSS
USRT vs. VSS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT) and Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS). 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.
| USRT | VSS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.08 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.10 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.25 | 1.28 | -0.03 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.42 | 2.03 | +0.39 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.79 | 7.61 | +0.18 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
USRT vs. VSS - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum USRT drawdown since its inception was -69.92%, which is greater than VSS's maximum drawdown of -43.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for USRT and VSS.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| USRT | VSS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -69.92% | -43.51% | -26.41% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.04% | -11.62% | +3.58% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.70% | -15.73% | -2.97% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.03% | -33.93% | +2.90% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -44.38% | -43.51% | -0.87% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | 0.00% | -3.05% | +3.05% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.96% | -9.63% | -3.33% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.49% | 3.09% | -0.60% |
Volatility
USRT vs. VSS - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT) is 4.71%, while Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF (VSS) has a volatility of 6.52%. This indicates that USRT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| USRT | VSS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.71% | 6.52% | -1.81% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.64% | 13.55% | -3.91% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.57% | 15.60% | -2.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.92% | 16.59% | +2.33% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.30% | 17.30% | +4.00% |
USRT vs. VSS - Expense Ratio Comparison
USRT has a 0.08% expense ratio, which is higher than VSS's 0.07% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.
Dividends
USRT vs. VSS - Dividend Comparison
USRT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.56%, less than VSS's 3.08% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
USRT iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF | 2.56% | 3.07% | 2.85% | 3.18% | 3.46% | 2.27% | 3.12% | 3.34% | 5.66% | 3.44% | 3.98% | 3.59% |
VSS Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Small-Cap ETF | 3.08% | 3.39% | 3.44% | 3.14% | 2.30% | 2.74% | 1.90% | 3.25% | 2.80% | 2.83% | 2.93% | 2.66% |
Frequently Asked Questions
USRT and VSS have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VSS has higher volatility (6.52%) compared to USRT (4.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, USRT dropped -69.92% vs VSS's -43.51%.
On 10-year performance, VSS leads with 8.49% vs 6.67% for USRT. On fees, VSS is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, USRT has been the lower-risk option at 4.71%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VSS has performed better with a 8.49% return vs 6.67%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VSS is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.08% for USRT.
VSS has the higher dividend yield at 3.08%, compared with 2.56% for USRT.
USRT is categorized as REIT, while VSS is Foreign Small & Mid Cap Equities. USRT tracks FTSE Nareit Equity REITS 40 Act Capped Index, while VSS tracks FTSE Global Small Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.08% for USRT and 0.07% for VSS.
VSS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.51 vs 1.43), 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.
Find the right allocation for USRT and VSS
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer