VGHY vs. VNQ
VGHY (Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF) and VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGHY is a High Yield Bonds fund actively managed by Vanguard, while VNQ is a REIT fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index. VGHY is actively managed, while VNQ is passively managed. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VGHY charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VNQ.
Performance
VGHY vs. VNQ - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VGHY achieves a 1.44% return, which is significantly lower than VNQ's 9.76% return.
VGHY
- 1D
- 0.06%
- 1M
- 0.32%
- YTD
- 1.44%
- 6M
- 2.05%
- 1Y
- —
- 3Y*
- —
- 5Y*
- —
- 10Y*
- —
VNQ
- 1D
- 1.79%
- 1M
- 0.36%
- YTD
- 9.76%
- 6M
- 8.93%
- 1Y
- 11.63%
- 3Y*
- 10.05%
- 5Y*
- 2.54%
- 10Y*
- 5.47%
VGHY vs. VNQ - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
VGHY Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF | 1.44% | 1.80% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 9.76% | -2.06% |
Correlation
The correlation between VGHY and VNQ is 0.43, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 18, 2025 | 0.43 |
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Return for Risk
VGHY vs. VNQ — Risk / Return Rank
VGHY
VNQ
VGHY vs. VNQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF (VGHY) 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.
Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| VGHY | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | — | 0.88 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | — | 0.14 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | — | 0.27 | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.08 | 0.27 | +0.82 |
Drawdowns
VGHY vs. VNQ - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VGHY drawdown since its inception was -2.66%, smaller than the maximum VNQ drawdown of -73.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGHY and VNQ.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VGHY | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -2.66% | -73.07% | +70.41% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | — | -8.34% | — |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | — | -17.46% | — |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | — | -34.48% | — |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | — | -42.40% | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.24% | -2.03% | +1.79% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.45% | -13.63% | +13.18% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | — | 2.64% | — |
Volatility
VGHY vs. VNQ - Volatility Comparison
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Volatility by Period
| VGHY | VNQ | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | — | 4.14% | — |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | — | 9.41% | — |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 4.28% | 13.27% | -8.99% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.28% | 18.82% | -14.54% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.28% | 20.70% | -16.42% |
VGHY vs. VNQ - Expense Ratio Comparison
VGHY has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is higher than VNQ's 0.13% 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
VGHY vs. VNQ - Dividend Comparison
VGHY's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.98%, more than VNQ's 3.63% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGHY Vanguard High-Yield Active ETF | 3.98% | 1.49% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 3.63% | 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
VGHY and VNQ have a correlation of 0.43, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, VNQ is cheaper at 0.13% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VNQ is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.22% for VGHY.
VGHY has the higher dividend yield at 3.98%, compared with 3.63% for VNQ.
VGHY is categorized as High Yield Bonds, while VNQ is REIT. Their fees differ too: 0.22% for VGHY and 0.13% for VNQ.
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