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VNQ vs. DHS
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VNQ vs. DHS

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) and DHS (WisdomTree US High Dividend Fund) are both exchange-traded funds - VNQ is a REIT fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index, while DHS is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VNQ returned 5.53%/yr vs 9.75%/yr for DHS. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VNQ charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.38%/yr for DHS.

Performance

VNQ vs. DHS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) and WisdomTree US High Dividend Fund (DHS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VNQ achieves a 11.49% return, which is significantly lower than DHS's 12.81% return. Over the past 10 years, VNQ has underperformed DHS with an annualized return of 5.53%, while DHS has yielded a comparatively higher 9.75% annualized return.

VNQ

1D
-0.07%
1M
0.95%
YTD
11.49%
6M
11.16%
1Y
12.43%
3Y*
10.04%
5Y*
2.36%
10Y*
5.53%

DHS

1D
0.56%
1M
2.48%
YTD
12.81%
6M
12.76%
1Y
22.47%
3Y*
16.75%
5Y*
11.12%
10Y*
9.75%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VNQ vs. DHS - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VNQ
Vanguard Real Estate ETF		11.49%3.24%4.81%11.85%-26.25%40.54%-4.61%28.91%-6.03%4.90%
DHS
WisdomTree US High Dividend Fund		12.81%12.87%18.02%-0.19%7.97%23.20%-5.70%22.59%-7.41%11.69%

Correlation

The correlation between VNQ and DHS is 0.69, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

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

0.69

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

0.72

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

0.71

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

0.69

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 16, 2006

0.73

The correlation between VNQ and DHS has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.69 to 0.73 - a consistent structural relationship.

VNQ vs. DHS - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VNQ
DHS

Real Estate

97.3%
2.8%

Basic Materials

1.1%
1.2%

Communication Services

0.6%
9.3%

Technology

0.3%
3.7%

Energy

0.1%
9.4%

Financial Services

0.1%
22.3%

Industrials

0.0%
4.1%

Consumer Cyclical

-

5.0%

Consumer Defensive

-

18.7%

Healthcare

-

14.5%

Utilities

-

9.0%

Real Estate

VNQ
97.3%
DHS
2.8%

Basic Materials

VNQ
1.1%
DHS
1.2%

Communication Services

VNQ
0.6%
DHS
9.3%

Technology

VNQ
0.3%
DHS
3.7%

Energy

VNQ
0.1%
DHS
9.4%

Financial Services

VNQ
0.1%
DHS
22.3%

Industrials

VNQ
0.0%
DHS
4.1%

Consumer Cyclical

VNQ

-

DHS
5.0%

Consumer Defensive

VNQ

-

DHS
18.7%

Healthcare

VNQ

-

DHS
14.5%

Utilities

VNQ

-

DHS
9.0%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard Real Estate ETF

WisdomTree US High Dividend Fund

Often compared with VNQ:
VNQ vs. SCHHVNQ vs. VOOVNQ vs. SPYVNQ vs. XLREVNQ vs. VNQIVNQ vs. SCHDVNQ vs. REET
Often compared with DHS:
DHS vs. SCHDDHS vs. SPHDDHS vs. DGRODHS vs. JEPIDHS vs. FDVVDHS vs. DTDDHS vs. SPY

Return for Risk

VNQ vs. DHS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VNQ
VNQ Risk / Return Rank: 3232
Overall Rank
VNQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3131
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VNQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 2929
Sortino Ratio Rank
VNQ Omega Ratio Rank: 2929
Omega Ratio Rank
VNQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 3636
Calmar Ratio Rank
VNQ Martin Ratio Rank: 3636
Martin Ratio Rank
DHS
DHS Risk / Return Rank: 8282
Overall Rank
DHS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8484
Sharpe Ratio Rank
DHS Sortino Ratio Rank: 8888
Sortino Ratio Rank
DHS Omega Ratio Rank: 7979
Omega Ratio Rank
DHS Calmar Ratio Rank: 8181
Calmar Ratio Rank
DHS Martin Ratio Rank: 8181
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.

VNQ vs. DHS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) and WisdomTree US High Dividend Fund (DHS). 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.

VNQDHSDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.92
2.25

-1.33

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.35
3.37

-2.02

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.17

1.39

-0.22

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.50

3.58

-2.09

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

4.71

13.09

-8.39

VNQ vs. DHS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VNQ Sharpe Ratio is 0.92, which is lower than the DHS Sharpe Ratio of 2.25. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VNQ and DHS, 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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Drawdowns

VNQ vs. DHS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VNQ drawdown since its inception was -73.07%, which is greater than DHS's maximum drawdown of -67.25%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VNQ and DHS.

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Drawdown Indicators

VNQDHSDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-73.07%

-67.25%

-5.82%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.34%

-6.30%

-2.04%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.46%

-11.87%

-5.59%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-34.48%

-15.28%

-19.20%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-42.40%

-37.35%

-5.05%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.49%

-0.00%

-0.49%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-13.61%

-9.54%

-4.07%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.65%

1.72%

+0.93%

Volatility

VNQ vs. DHS - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) has a higher volatility of 4.74% compared to WisdomTree US High Dividend Fund (DHS) at 3.07%. This indicates that VNQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DHS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VNQDHSDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.74%

3.07%

+1.67%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.74%

7.35%

+2.39%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.52%

10.02%

+3.50%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.85%

13.90%

+4.95%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.72%

16.08%

+4.64%

VNQ vs. DHS - Expense Ratio Comparison

VNQ has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than DHS's 0.38% expense ratio.

Dividends

VNQ vs. DHS - Dividend Comparison

VNQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.57%, more than DHS's 3.27% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
DHS
WisdomTree US High Dividend Fund		3.27%3.32%3.66%4.31%3.42%3.29%4.14%3.69%3.76%3.00%3.25%3.53%
VNQ
Vanguard Real Estate ETF		3.57%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

VNQ and DHS have a correlation of 0.69, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

VNQ has higher volatility (4.74%) compared to DHS (3.07%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VNQ dropped -73.07% vs DHS's -67.25%.

On 10-year performance, DHS leads with 9.75% vs 5.53% for VNQ. On fees, VNQ is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, DHS has been the lower-risk option at 3.07%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 10-year period, DHS has performed better with a 9.75% return vs 5.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

VNQ is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.38% for DHS.

VNQ has the higher dividend yield at 3.57%, compared with 3.27% for DHS.

VNQ is categorized as REIT, while DHS is Large Cap Value Equities. VNQ tracks MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index, while DHS tracks WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and WisdomTree. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for VNQ and 0.38% for DHS.

DHS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.25 vs 0.92), 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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