VNQ vs. NVO

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) is REIT fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index, while NVO (Novo Nordisk A/S) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VNQ returned 5.30%/yr vs 6.20%/yr for NVO. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VNQ vs. NVO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VNQ achieves a 9.04% return, which is significantly higher than NVO's -16.56% return. Over the past 10 years, VNQ has underperformed NVO with an annualized return of 5.30%, while NVO has yielded a comparatively higher 6.20% annualized return.

VNQ

• 1D: -1.36%
• 1M: -1.19%
• YTD: 9.04%
• 6M: 9.17%
• 1Y: 10.45%
• 3Y*: 9.24%
• 5Y*: 1.97%
• 10Y*: 5.30%

NVO

• 1D: -4.52%
• 1M: -10.96%
• YTD: -16.56%
• 6M: -9.23%
• 1Y: -42.47%
• 3Y*: -17.53%
• 5Y*: 1.78%
• 10Y*: 6.20%

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

VNQ vs. NVO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF	9.04%	3.24%	4.81%	11.85%	-26.25%	40.54%	-4.61%	28.91%	-6.03%	4.90%
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S	-16.56%	-39.22%	-15.93%	54.84%	22.66%	63.52%	23.33%	28.70%	-12.98%	52.92%

Correlation

The correlation between VNQ and NVO is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2004	0.30

Return for Risk

VNQ vs. NVO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VNQ

VNQ Risk / Return Rank: 26
VNQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
VNQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 23
VNQ Omega Ratio Rank: 23
VNQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
VNQ Martin Ratio Rank: 30

NVO

NVO Risk / Return Rank: 12
NVO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
NVO Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
NVO Omega Ratio Rank: 10
NVO Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
NVO Martin Ratio Rank: 17

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. NVO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO). 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.

	VNQ	NVO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.79	-0.82	+1.61
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.15	-1.01	+2.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	0.86	+0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.26	-0.77	+2.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.96	-1.14	+5.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VNQ vs. NVO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VNQ Sharpe Ratio is 0.79, which is higher than the NVO Sharpe Ratio of -0.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VNQ and NVO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VNQ	NVO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79	-0.82	+1.61
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11	0.05	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26	0.19	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.47	-0.20

Drawdowns

VNQ vs. NVO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VNQ drawdown since its inception was -73.07%, roughly equal to the maximum NVO drawdown of -74.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VNQ and NVO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VNQ	NVO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.07%	-74.70%	+1.63%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.34%	-55.03%	+46.69%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.46%	-74.70%	+57.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.48%	-74.70%	+40.22%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.40%	-74.70%	+32.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.67%	-70.19%	+67.52%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.62%	-17.77%	+4.15%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.65%	37.21%	-34.56%

Volatility

VNQ vs. NVO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) is 4.13%, while Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) has a volatility of 9.75%. This indicates that VNQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NVO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VNQ	NVO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.13%	9.75%	-5.62%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.53%	38.30%	-28.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.38%	52.08%	-38.70%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.82%	38.31%	-19.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.71%	32.56%	-11.85%

Dividends

VNQ vs. NVO - Dividend Comparison

VNQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.65%, less than NVO's 4.39% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S	4.39%	3.31%	1.68%	1.00%	1.20%	1.35%	1.87%	2.14%	1.45%	1.52%	2.87%	0.92%
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF	3.65%	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

Can I hold both VNQ and NVO in my portfolio?

VNQ and NVO have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VNQ or NVO?

NVO has higher volatility (9.75%) compared to VNQ (4.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VNQ dropped -73.07% vs NVO's -74.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VNQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.79 vs -0.82), 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.