VNQ vs. PFFR
VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) and PFFR (InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF) are both REIT funds - VNQ tracks the MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index while PFFR tracks the Indxx REIT Preferred Stock Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VNQ returned 2.28%/yr vs 1.10%/yr for PFFR. Their 0.39 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. VNQ charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for PFFR.
Performance
VNQ vs. PFFR - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VNQ achieves a 13.98% return, which is significantly higher than PFFR's 3.30% return.
VNQ
- 1D
- -0.15%
- 1M
- 0.92%
- 6M
- 12.49%
- YTD
- 13.98%
- 1Y
- 14.38%
- 3Y*
- 10.29%
- 5Y*
- 2.28%
- 10Y*
- 4.99%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.72%
PFFR
- 1D
- 0.50%
- 1M
- 0.80%
- 6M
- 1.76%
- YTD
- 3.30%
- 1Y
- 4.56%
- 3Y*
- 8.76%
- 5Y*
- 1.10%
- 10Y*
- —
- ALL TIME*
- 3.44%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $760.67K | $712.18K | $614.39K | |
| $309.02M | $309.06M | $316.43M |
VNQ vs. PFFR - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 13.98% | 3.24% | 4.81% | 11.85% | -26.25% | 40.54% | -4.61% | 28.91% | -6.03% | 5.10% |
PFFR InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF | 3.30% | 5.36% | 7.12% | 21.04% | -23.90% | 6.76% | 0.19% | 20.28% | -7.45% | 7.82% |
Correlation
The correlation between VNQ and PFFR is 0.30, which is low. Their historical price movements had little consistent relationship.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.30 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.36 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.40 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2017 | 0.39 |
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Return for Risk
VNQ vs. PFFR — Risk / Return Rank
VNQ
PFFR
VNQ vs. PFFR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) and InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF (PFFR). 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.
| VNQ | PFFR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.48 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.69 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.10 | +0.09 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.73 | 0.70 | +1.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 5.60 | 1.57 | +4.03 |
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Drawdowns
VNQ vs. PFFR - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VNQ drawdown since its inception was -73.07%, which is greater than PFFR's maximum drawdown of -53.02%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VNQ and PFFR.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VNQ | PFFR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -73.07% | -53.02% | -20.05% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.34% | -6.57% | -1.77% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -17.46% | -11.16% | -6.30% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.48% | -29.80% | -4.68% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -42.40% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.01% | -0.65% | -1.36% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.53% | -6.90% | -6.63% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.57% | 2.91% | -0.34% |
Volatility
VNQ vs. PFFR - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) has a higher volatility of 4.19% compared to InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF (PFFR) at 2.16%. This indicates that VNQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PFFR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VNQ | PFFR | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.19% | 2.16% | +2.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 10.64% | 6.27% | +4.37% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.78% | 8.10% | +5.68% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.90% | 10.54% | +8.36% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 20.76% | 20.37% | +0.39% |
VNQ vs. PFFR - Expense Ratio Comparison
VNQ has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than PFFR's 0.45% expense ratio.
Dividends
VNQ vs. PFFR - Dividend Comparison
VNQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.51%, less than PFFR's 8.24% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFFR InfraCap REIT Preferred ETF | 8.24% | 7.99% | 7.78% | 7.72% | 8.60% | 6.08% | 6.11% | 5.77% | 6.48% | 6.59% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF | 3.51% | 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 PFFR have a correlation of 0.30, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VNQ has higher volatility (4.19%) compared to PFFR (2.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VNQ dropped -73.07% vs PFFR's -53.02%.
On 5-year performance, VNQ leads with 2.28% vs 1.10% for PFFR. On fees, VNQ is cheaper at 0.13% per year. On volatility, PFFR has been the lower-risk option at 2.16%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 5-year period, VNQ has performed better with a 2.28% return vs 1.10%. 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 0.45% for PFFR.
PFFR has the higher dividend yield at 8.24%, compared with 3.51% for VNQ.
VNQ tracks MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index, while PFFR tracks Indxx REIT Preferred Stock Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and Virtus. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for VNQ and 0.45% for PFFR.
VNQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.05 vs 0.57), 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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