VNQ vs. SPY

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) and SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VNQ is a REIT fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index, while SPY is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VNQ returned 5.21%/yr vs 15.49%/yr for SPY. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VNQ charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for SPY.

Performance

VNQ vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VNQ achieves a 7.83% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.91% return. Over the past 10 years, VNQ has underperformed SPY with an annualized return of 5.21%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively higher 15.49% annualized return.

VNQ

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: -1.10%
• YTD: 7.83%
• 6M: 6.75%
• 1Y: 9.97%
• 3Y*: 9.15%
• 5Y*: 2.18%
• 10Y*: 5.21%

SPY

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 5.05%
• YTD: 10.91%
• 6M: 10.91%
• 1Y: 27.98%
• 3Y*: 22.35%
• 5Y*: 13.83%
• 10Y*: 15.49%

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

VNQ vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF	7.83%	3.24%	4.81%	11.85%	-26.25%	40.54%	-4.61%	28.91%	-6.03%	4.90%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.91%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between VNQ and SPY is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.61
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.58
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2004	0.65

Over the past year, the correlation between VNQ and SPY has dropped to 0.36 - well below their long-term average of 0.65, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

VNQ vs. SPY - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VNQ	SPY
Real Estate	97.3%	1.9%
Basic Materials	1.1%	1.8%
Communication Services	0.6%	11.3%
Technology	0.3%	35.9%
Energy	0.1%	3.6%
Financial Services	0.1%	11.8%
Industrials	0.0%	7.8%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.8%
Healthcare	-	8.4%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

VNQ vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

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

VNQ

VNQ Risk / Return Rank: 23
VNQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 22
VNQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
VNQ Omega Ratio Rank: 20
VNQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
VNQ Martin Ratio Rank: 27

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 70
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 70
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 75

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. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.76	2.38	-1.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.12	3.24	-2.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.43	-0.29
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.20	3.16	-1.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.78	14.72	-10.94
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. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VNQ Sharpe Ratio is 0.76, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 2.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VNQ and SPY, 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.76	2.38	-1.62
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12	0.82	-0.70
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25	0.87	-0.61
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.59	-0.32

Drawdowns

VNQ vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VNQ drawdown since its inception was -73.07%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VNQ and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	VNQ	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.07%	-55.19%	-17.88%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.34%	-8.88%	+0.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.46%	-18.76%	+1.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.48%	-24.50%	-9.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.40%	-33.72%	-8.68%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.75%	-0.70%	-3.05%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.63%	-9.05%	-4.58%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.64%	1.91%	+0.73%

Volatility

VNQ vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) has a higher volatility of 3.72% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 2.84%. This indicates that VNQ's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VNQ	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.72%	2.84%	+0.88%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.26%	8.90%	+0.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.16%	11.83%	+1.33%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.80%	17.05%	+1.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.70%	17.94%	+2.76%

VNQ vs. SPY - Expense Ratio Comparison

VNQ has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is higher than SPY's 0.09% 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%.

Dividends

VNQ vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

VNQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.69%, more than SPY's 0.98% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	0.98%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF	3.69%	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 SPY in my portfolio?

VNQ and SPY have a correlation of 0.36, 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 SPY?

VNQ has higher volatility (3.72%) compared to SPY (2.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VNQ dropped -73.07% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which ETF is better, VNQ or SPY?

On 10-year performance, SPY leads with 15.49% vs 5.21% for VNQ. On fees, SPY is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, SPY has been the lower-risk option at 2.84%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VNQ or SPY?

Over the 10-year period, SPY has performed better with a 15.49% return vs 5.21%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VNQ or SPY?

SPY is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for VNQ.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VNQ or SPY?

VNQ has the higher dividend yield at 3.69%, compared with 0.98% for SPY.

What is the main difference between VNQ and SPY?

VNQ is categorized as REIT, while SPY is S&P 500. VNQ tracks MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index, while SPY tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for VNQ and 0.09% for SPY.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.38 vs 0.76), 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.