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VGLT vs. REET
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VGLT vs. REET

Last updated Jun 7, 2026

VGLT (Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF) and REET (iShares Global REIT ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGLT is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while REET is a REIT fund tracking the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global REIT Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGLT returned -1.11%/yr vs 4.10%/yr for REET. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VGLT charges 0.03%/yr vs 0.14%/yr for REET.

Performance

VGLT vs. REET - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) and iShares Global REIT ETF (REET). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGLT achieves a -0.75% return, which is significantly lower than REET's 9.43% return. Over the past 10 years, VGLT has underperformed REET with an annualized return of -1.11%, while REET has yielded a comparatively higher 4.10% annualized return.

VGLT

1D
-0.59%
1M
-0.43%
YTD
-0.75%
6M
-1.12%
1Y
4.58%
3Y*
-0.93%
5Y*
-5.37%
10Y*
-1.11%

REET

1D
0.22%
1M
-0.51%
YTD
9.43%
6M
9.74%
1Y
12.75%
3Y*
9.54%
5Y*
2.48%
10Y*
4.10%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VGLT vs. REET - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VGLT
Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF		-0.75%5.35%-6.28%3.27%-29.34%-4.98%17.57%14.30%-1.54%8.64%
REET
iShares Global REIT ETF		9.43%7.97%2.65%10.28%-24.10%32.43%-10.48%24.42%-5.27%7.48%

Correlation

The correlation between VGLT and REET is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.38

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.37

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.25

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.13

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 11, 2014

0.08

Over the past year, VGLT and REET have become more correlated (0.38) than their long-term average of 0.08, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF

iShares Global REIT ETF

Often compared with VGLT:
VGLT vs. TLTVGLT vs. VGITVGLT vs. EDVVGLT vs. BNDVGLT vs. VCLTVGLT vs. BLVVGLT vs. SPTL
Often compared with REET:
REET vs. VNQREET vs. VNQIREET vs. XLREREET vs. USRTREET vs. SCHHREET vs. RWOREET vs. FREL

Return for Risk

VGLT vs. REET — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VGLT
VGLT Risk / Return Rank: 1515
Overall Rank
VGLT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1515
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VGLT Sortino Ratio Rank: 1414
Sortino Ratio Rank
VGLT Omega Ratio Rank: 1414
Omega Ratio Rank
VGLT Calmar Ratio Rank: 1515
Calmar Ratio Rank
VGLT Martin Ratio Rank: 1515
Martin Ratio Rank
REET
REET Risk / Return Rank: 3232
Overall Rank
REET Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3232
Sharpe Ratio Rank
REET Sortino Ratio Rank: 3030
Sortino Ratio Rank
REET Omega Ratio Rank: 3131
Omega Ratio Rank
REET Calmar Ratio Rank: 3131
Calmar Ratio Rank
REET Martin Ratio Rank: 3636
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

VGLT vs. REET - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) and iShares Global REIT ETF (REET). 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.

VGLTREETDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.38
1.12

-0.74

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.60
1.58

-0.98

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.07

1.20

-0.13

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.47

1.50

-1.03

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

1.22

5.40

-4.17

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGLT vs. REET - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGLT Sharpe Ratio is 0.38, which is lower than the REET Sharpe Ratio of 1.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGLT and REET, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

VGLTREETDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.38

1.12

-0.74

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

-0.37

0.15

-0.52

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

-0.08

0.22

-0.30

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.18

0.25

-0.07

Drawdowns

VGLT vs. REET - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGLT drawdown since its inception was -46.18%, roughly equal to the maximum REET drawdown of -44.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGLT and REET.

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Drawdown Indicators

VGLTREETDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-46.18%

-44.59%

-1.59%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.01%

-9.04%

+2.03%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.68%

-18.02%

+0.34%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-40.98%

-32.11%

-8.87%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-46.18%

-44.59%

-1.59%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-37.05%

-1.59%

-35.46%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-15.07%

-9.78%

-5.29%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.71%

2.51%

+0.20%

Volatility

VGLT vs. REET - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF (VGLT) is 2.50%, while iShares Global REIT ETF (REET) has a volatility of 3.59%. This indicates that VGLT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than REET based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VGLTREETDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.50%

3.59%

-1.09%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

5.97%

8.86%

-2.89%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

8.77%

12.12%

-3.35%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

14.56%

16.95%

-2.39%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

13.81%

18.84%

-5.03%

VGLT vs. REET - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGLT has a 0.03% expense ratio, which is lower than REET's 0.14% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VGLT vs. REET - Dividend Comparison

VGLT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.63%, more than REET's 3.38% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
REET
iShares Global REIT ETF		3.38%3.67%3.64%3.27%2.43%3.18%2.65%5.25%5.73%3.84%5.37%3.56%
VGLT
Vanguard Long-Term Treasury ETF		4.63%4.44%4.33%3.33%2.84%1.82%2.15%2.46%2.71%2.55%2.69%3.21%

Frequently Asked Questions

VGLT and REET have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

REET has higher volatility (3.59%) compared to VGLT (2.50%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VGLT dropped -46.18% vs REET's -44.59%.

On 10-year performance, REET leads with 4.10% vs -1.11% for VGLT. On fees, VGLT is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VGLT has been the lower-risk option at 2.50%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, REET has performed better with a 4.10% return vs -1.11%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VGLT is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.14% for REET.

VGLT has the higher dividend yield at 4.63%, compared with 3.38% for REET.

VGLT is categorized as Government Bonds, while REET is REIT. VGLT tracks Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index, while REET tracks FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Global REIT Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.03% for VGLT and 0.14% for REET.

REET currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.12 vs 0.38), 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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