VNQI vs. VGSH
VNQI (Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF) and VGSH (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VNQI is a REIT fund tracking the S&P Global ex-U.S. Property Index, while VGSH is a Government Bonds fund tracking the Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VNQI returned 2.74%/yr vs 1.73%/yr for VGSH. At a 0.02 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VNQI charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VGSH.
Performance
VNQI vs. VGSH - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VNQI achieves a -0.33% return, which is significantly lower than VGSH's 0.57% return. Over the past 10 years, VNQI has outperformed VGSH with an annualized return of 2.74%, while VGSH has yielded a comparatively lower 1.73% annualized return.
VNQI
- 1D
- 0.68%
- 1M
- -3.12%
- YTD
- -0.33%
- 6M
- 0.85%
- 1Y
- 5.87%
- 3Y*
- 8.59%
- 5Y*
- -1.50%
- 10Y*
- 2.74%
VGSH
- 1D
- -0.03%
- 1M
- 0.13%
- YTD
- 0.57%
- 6M
- 0.83%
- 1Y
- 3.31%
- 3Y*
- 4.25%
- 5Y*
- 1.83%
- 10Y*
- 1.73%
VNQI vs. VGSH - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VNQI Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF | -0.33% | 21.38% | -2.22% | 6.99% | -22.94% | 5.93% | -7.22% | 21.59% | -9.44% | 26.91% |
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF | 0.57% | 5.07% | 4.00% | 4.31% | -3.86% | -0.60% | 3.04% | 3.52% | 1.55% | 0.04% |
Correlation
The correlation between VNQI and VGSH is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.42 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.23 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.09 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 1, 2010 | 0.02 |
Over the past year, VNQI and VGSH have become more correlated (0.42) than their long-term average of 0.02, meaning their price movements have been converging.
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Return for Risk
VNQI vs. VGSH — Risk / Return Rank
VNQI
VGSH
VNQI vs. VGSH - 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 Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH). 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.
| VNQI | VGSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -2.18 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -3.60 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.09 | 1.55 | -0.47 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.40 | 3.76 | -3.36 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.13 | 14.67 | -13.54 |
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Drawdowns
VNQI vs. VGSH - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VNQI drawdown since its inception was -38.35%, which is greater than VGSH's maximum drawdown of -5.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VNQI and VGSH.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VNQI | VGSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -38.35% | -5.70% | -32.65% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -14.78% | -0.88% | -13.90% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.35% | -0.97% | -15.38% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -35.55% | -5.66% | -29.89% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -38.35% | -5.70% | -32.65% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -9.99% | -0.21% | -9.78% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.89% | -0.60% | -10.29% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.19% | 0.23% | +4.96% |
Volatility
VNQI vs. VGSH - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF (VNQI) has a higher volatility of 4.62% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) at 0.37%. This indicates that VNQI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGSH based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VNQI | VGSH | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.62% | 0.37% | +4.25% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 11.75% | 0.90% | +10.85% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 13.73% | 1.28% | +12.45% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 15.54% | 1.97% | +13.57% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 16.07% | 1.58% | +14.49% |
VNQI vs. VGSH - Expense Ratio Comparison
VNQI has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is higher than VGSH's 0.03% 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
VNQI vs. VGSH - Dividend Comparison
VNQI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.72%, more than VGSH's 3.87% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VGSH Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF | 3.87% | 4.00% | 4.18% | 3.31% | 1.15% | 0.66% | 1.74% | 2.28% | 1.79% | 1.10% | 0.84% | 0.69% |
VNQI Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF | 4.72% | 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
VNQI and VGSH have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VNQI has higher volatility (4.62%) compared to VGSH (0.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VNQI dropped -38.35% vs VGSH's -5.70%.
On 10-year performance, VNQI leads with 2.74% vs 1.73% for VGSH. On fees, VGSH is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VGSH has been the lower-risk option at 0.37%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
Over the 10-year period, VNQI has performed better with a 2.74% return vs 1.73%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.
VGSH is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.12% for VNQI.
VNQI has the higher dividend yield at 4.72%, compared with 3.87% for VGSH.
VNQI is categorized as REIT, while VGSH is Government Bonds. VNQI tracks S&P Global ex-U.S. Property Index, while VGSH tracks Bloomberg U.S. Treasury 1-3 Year Index. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for VNQI and 0.03% for VGSH.
VGSH currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.61 vs 0.43), 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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