VGSIX vs. VGSNX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund (VGSIX) and Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares (VGSNX).

VGSIX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on May 13, 1996. VGSNX is managed by Vanguard. It was launched on Dec 2, 2003.

Performance

VGSIX vs. VGSNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund (VGSIX) and Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares (VGSNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

VGSIX vs. VGSNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGSIX Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund	-0.24%	2.04%	2.67%	12.97%	-26.29%	40.18%	-4.87%	28.74%	-6.14%	4.80%
VGSNX Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares	-0.23%	3.21%	3.72%	13.12%	-26.19%	40.46%	-4.76%	28.98%	-5.97%	4.90%

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VGSIX having a -0.24% return and VGSNX slightly higher at -0.23%. Over the past 10 years, VGSIX has underperformed VGSNX with an annualized return of 4.14%, while VGSNX has yielded a comparatively higher 4.49% annualized return.

VGSIX

• 1D: 0.38%
• 1M: -7.74%
• YTD: -0.24%
• 6M: -2.68%
• 1Y: 0.17%
• 3Y*: 5.09%
• 5Y*: 2.35%
• 10Y*: 4.14%

VGSNX

• 1D: 0.37%
• 1M: -7.74%
• YTD: -0.23%
• 6M: -2.62%
• 1Y: 0.33%
• 3Y*: 5.88%
• 5Y*: 2.88%
• 10Y*: 4.49%

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

VGSIX vs. VGSNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGSIX has a 0.26% expense ratio, which is higher than VGSNX's 0.10% 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%.

VGSIX

Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund

VGSNX

Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares

Return for Risk

VGSIX vs. VGSNX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VGSIX

VGSIX Risk / Return Rank: 7
VGSIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
VGSIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
VGSIX Omega Ratio Rank: 6
VGSIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
VGSIX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

VGSNX

VGSNX Risk / Return Rank: 7
VGSNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7
VGSNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
VGSNX Omega Ratio Rank: 7
VGSNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8
VGSNX Martin Ratio Rank: 8

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.

VGSIX vs. VGSNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund (VGSIX) and Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares (VGSNX). 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.

	VGSIX	VGSNX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.06	0.07	-0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.20	0.21	-0.01
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.03	1.03	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.08	0.09	-0.01
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	0.31	0.35	-0.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VGSIX vs. VGSNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VGSIX Sharpe Ratio is 0.06, which is comparable to the VGSNX Sharpe Ratio of 0.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGSIX and VGSNX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VGSIX	VGSNX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.06	0.07	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12	0.15	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.20	0.22	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.26	+0.07

Correlation

The correlation between VGSIX and VGSNX is 1.00, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

VGSIX vs. VGSNX - Dividend Comparison

VGSIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.84%, less than VGSNX's 4.01% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGSIX Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund	3.84%	2.76%	2.83%	3.77%	3.75%	2.43%	3.78%	3.24%	4.59%	4.09%	4.67%	3.78%
VGSNX Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares	4.01%	3.94%	3.87%	3.93%	3.94%	2.57%	3.95%	3.40%	4.75%	4.26%	4.84%	3.94%

Drawdowns

VGSIX vs. VGSNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGSIX drawdown since its inception was -73.13%, roughly equal to the maximum VGSNX drawdown of -73.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGSIX and VGSNX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGSIX	VGSNX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.13%	-73.06%	-0.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.45%	-12.41%	-0.04%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.58%	-34.39%	-0.19%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.35%	-42.30%	-0.05%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.98%	-10.83%	-2.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.91%	-13.37%	+1.46%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.16%	3.16%	0.00%

Volatility

VGSIX vs. VGSNX - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund (VGSIX) and Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares (VGSNX) have volatilities of 4.12% and 4.16%, 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

	VGSIX	VGSNX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.12%	4.16%	-0.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.12%	9.14%	-0.02%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.31%	16.31%	0.00%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.88%	18.88%	0.00%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.85%	20.91%	-0.06%