VNQI vs. IFGL

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VNQI (Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF) and IFGL (iShares International Developed Real Estate ETF) are both REIT funds - VNQI tracks the S&P Global ex-U.S. Property Index while IFGL tracks the FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate ex-U.S. Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VNQI returned 2.39%/yr vs 1.53%/yr for IFGL. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. VNQI charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for IFGL.

Performance

VNQI vs. IFGL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF (VNQI) and iShares International Developed Real Estate ETF (IFGL). 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 VNQI having a -1.07% return and IFGL slightly higher at -1.03%. Over the past 10 years, VNQI has outperformed IFGL with an annualized return of 2.39%, while IFGL has yielded a comparatively lower 1.53% annualized return.

VNQI

• 1D: 0.15%
• 1M: -3.78%
• YTD: -1.07%
• 6M: 0.24%
• 1Y: 6.40%
• 3Y*: 8.47%
• 5Y*: -1.23%
• 10Y*: 2.39%

IFGL

• 1D: -0.24%
• 1M: -4.23%
• YTD: -1.03%
• 6M: 0.90%
• 1Y: 6.61%
• 3Y*: 7.01%
• 5Y*: -2.27%
• 10Y*: 1.53%

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

VNQI vs. IFGL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VNQI Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF	-1.07%	21.38%	-2.22%	6.99%	-22.94%	5.93%	-7.22%	21.59%	-9.44%	26.91%
IFGL iShares International Developed Real Estate ETF	-1.03%	24.31%	-7.25%	5.40%	-24.21%	8.29%	-7.62%	20.65%	-6.39%	20.00%

Correlation

The correlation between VNQI and IFGL is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.93
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.92
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.92
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 2, 2010	0.93

The correlation between VNQI and IFGL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

VNQI vs. IFGL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VNQI	IFGL
Real Estate	91.2%	98.9%
Financial Services	1.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	1.1%	0.1%
Industrials	0.7%	-
Energy	0.3%	-
Basic Materials	0.3%	-
Technology	0.2%	1.1%
Utilities	0.1%	-
Consumer Defensive	0.1%	-
Healthcare	0.0%	-
Communication Services	-	-

Return for Risk

VNQI vs. IFGL — Risk / Return Rank

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

VNQI

VNQI Risk / Return Rank: 16
VNQI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
VNQI Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
VNQI Omega Ratio Rank: 16
VNQI Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
VNQI Martin Ratio Rank: 16

IFGL

IFGL Risk / Return Rank: 16
IFGL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
IFGL Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
IFGL Omega Ratio Rank: 16
IFGL Calmar Ratio Rank: 15
IFGL Martin Ratio Rank: 16

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.

VNQI vs. IFGL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF (VNQI) and iShares International Developed Real Estate ETF (IFGL). 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.

	VNQI	IFGL	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.48	0.49	-0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.77	0.79	-0.01
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.10	0.00
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.51	0.53	-0.02
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.60	1.65	-0.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VNQI vs. IFGL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VNQI Sharpe Ratio is 0.48, which is comparable to the IFGL Sharpe Ratio of 0.49. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VNQI and IFGL, 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

	VNQI	IFGL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.48	0.49	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.08	-0.14	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.15	0.09	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.20	0.04	+0.16

Drawdowns

VNQI vs. IFGL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VNQI drawdown since its inception was -38.35%, smaller than the maximum IFGL drawdown of -67.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VNQI and IFGL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VNQI	IFGL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-38.35%	-67.94%	+29.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.78%	-14.38%	-0.40%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.35%	-18.77%	+2.42%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.75%	-38.47%	+2.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-38.35%	-40.38%	+2.03%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.66%	-13.93%	+3.27%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.89%	-16.68%	+5.79%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.73%	4.59%	+0.14%

Volatility

VNQI vs. IFGL - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF (VNQI) and iShares International Developed Real Estate ETF (IFGL) have volatilities of 4.59% and 4.58%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VNQI	IFGL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.59%	4.58%	+0.01%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.37%	11.42%	-0.05%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.40%	13.66%	-0.26%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.49%	16.38%	-0.89%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.06%	16.59%	-0.53%

VNQI vs. IFGL - Expense Ratio Comparison

VNQI has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is lower than IFGL's 0.48% expense ratio.

Dividends

VNQI vs. IFGL - Dividend Comparison

VNQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.75%, more than IFGL's 3.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IFGL iShares International Developed Real Estate ETF	3.85%	3.71%	4.83%	1.82%	2.79%	3.25%	2.17%	7.60%	4.10%	4.90%	7.68%	3.70%
VNQI Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF	4.75%	4.70%	5.16%	3.74%	0.57%	6.48%	0.93%	7.58%	4.62%	3.86%	5.18%	2.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VNQI and IFGL in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, VNQI and IFGL move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VNQI or IFGL?

VNQI has higher volatility (4.59%) compared to IFGL (4.58%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VNQI dropped -38.35% vs IFGL's -67.94%.

Which ETF is better, VNQI or IFGL?

On 10-year performance, VNQI leads with 2.39% vs 1.53% for IFGL. On fees, VNQI is cheaper at 0.12% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VNQI or IFGL?

Over the 10-year period, VNQI has performed better with a 2.39% return vs 1.53%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VNQI or IFGL?

VNQI is cheaper with a 0.12% expense ratio, compared with 0.48% for IFGL.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VNQI or IFGL?

VNQI has the higher dividend yield at 4.75%, compared with 3.85% for IFGL.

What is the main difference between VNQI and IFGL?

VNQI tracks S&P Global ex-U.S. Property Index, while IFGL tracks FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Real Estate ex-U.S. Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for VNQI and 0.48% for IFGL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IFGL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.49 vs 0.48), 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.