VNQ vs. VAW

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) and VAW (Vanguard Materials ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VNQ is a REIT fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index, while VAW is a Materials fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Materials 25/50 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VNQ returned 5.30%/yr vs 9.87%/yr for VAW. A 0.58 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VNQ charges 0.13%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for VAW.

Performance

VNQ vs. VAW - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VNQ having a 9.04% return and VAW slightly higher at 9.07%. Over the past 10 years, VNQ has underperformed VAW with an annualized return of 5.30%, while VAW has yielded a comparatively higher 9.87% 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%

VAW

• 1D: -1.01%
• 1M: -3.30%
• YTD: 9.07%
• 6M: 14.24%
• 1Y: 17.86%
• 3Y*: 10.82%
• 5Y*: 5.32%
• 10Y*: 9.87%

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

VNQ vs. VAW - 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%
VAW Vanguard Materials ETF	9.07%	12.30%	0.48%	13.67%	-11.80%	27.43%	19.44%	23.53%	-17.49%	23.76%

Correlation

The correlation between VNQ and VAW is 0.53, 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	0.53
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.61
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.64
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 30, 2004	0.58

The correlation between VNQ and VAW shifts across timeframes, from 0.53 (1 year) to 0.64 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VNQ vs. VAW - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VNQ	VAW
Real Estate	97.3%	-
Basic Materials	1.1%	90.2%
Communication Services	0.6%	-
Technology	0.3%	0.1%
Energy	0.1%	0.5%
Financial Services	0.1%	-
Industrials	0.0%	1.0%
Consumer Cyclical	-	8.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.0%
Healthcare	-	0.5%
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

VNQ vs. VAW — 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

VAW

VAW Risk / Return Rank: 30
VAW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
VAW Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
VAW Omega Ratio Rank: 28
VAW Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
VAW Martin Ratio Rank: 32

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. VAW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) and Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW). 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	VAW	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.79	1.01	-0.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.15	1.49	-0.33
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.14	1.18	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.26	1.34	-0.08
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.96	4.32	-0.37
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. VAW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VNQ Sharpe Ratio is 0.79, which is comparable to the VAW Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VNQ and VAW, 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	VAW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.79	1.01	-0.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11	0.27	-0.17
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26	0.47	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.27	0.39	-0.12

Drawdowns

VNQ vs. VAW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VNQ drawdown since its inception was -73.07%, which is greater than VAW's maximum drawdown of -62.17%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VNQ and VAW.

Drawdown Indicators

	VNQ	VAW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.07%	-62.17%	-10.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.34%	-13.42%	+5.08%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-17.46%	-23.21%	+5.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.48%	-25.50%	-8.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-42.40%	-41.13%	-1.27%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.67%	-7.27%	+4.60%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.62%	-9.63%	-3.99%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.65%	4.14%	-1.49%

Volatility

VNQ vs. VAW - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) is 4.13%, while Vanguard Materials ETF (VAW) has a volatility of 5.94%. This indicates that VNQ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VAW based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VNQ	VAW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.13%	5.94%	-1.81%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.53%	14.18%	-4.65%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.38%	17.88%	-4.50%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.82%	19.65%	-0.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.71%	21.22%	-0.51%

VNQ vs. VAW - Expense Ratio Comparison

VNQ has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is higher than VAW'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%.

Dividends

VNQ vs. VAW - Dividend Comparison

VNQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.65%, more than VAW's 1.41% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VAW Vanguard Materials ETF	1.41%	1.55%	1.70%	1.72%	1.98%	1.44%	1.67%	1.94%	2.03%	1.63%	1.67%	2.30%
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 VAW in my portfolio?

VNQ and VAW have a correlation of 0.53, 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 VAW?

VAW has higher volatility (5.94%) compared to VNQ (4.13%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VNQ dropped -73.07% vs VAW's -62.17%.

Which ETF is better, VNQ or VAW?

On 10-year performance, VAW leads with 9.87% vs 5.30% for VNQ. On fees, VAW is cheaper at 0.10% per year. On volatility, VNQ has been the lower-risk option at 4.13%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VNQ or VAW?

Over the 10-year period, VAW has performed better with a 9.87% return vs 5.30%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VNQ or VAW?

VAW is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.13% for VNQ.

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

VNQ has the higher dividend yield at 3.65%, compared with 1.41% for VAW.

What is the main difference between VNQ and VAW?

VNQ is categorized as REIT, while VAW is Materials. VNQ tracks MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index, while VAW tracks MSCI US Investable Market Materials 25/50 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for VNQ and 0.10% for VAW.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VAW currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.01 vs 0.79), 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.