VRE.TO vs. XLRE

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

VRE.TO (Vanguard FTSE Canadian Capped REIT Index ETF) and XLRE (Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund) are both REIT funds - VRE.TO tracks the FTSE CA All Cap RE Capped 25% Idx while XLRE tracks the Real Estate Select Sector Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VRE.TO returned 4.67%/yr vs 7.16%/yr for XLRE. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VRE.TO charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for XLRE.

Performance

VRE.TO vs. XLRE - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Canadian Capped REIT Index ETF (VRE.TO) and Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

VRE.TO is traded in CAD, while XLRE is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the XLRE values have been converted to CAD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VRE.TO achieves a 5.92% return, which is significantly lower than XLRE's 15.07% return. Over the past 10 years, VRE.TO has underperformed XLRE with an annualized return of 4.67%, while XLRE has yielded a comparatively higher 7.16% annualized return.

VRE.TO

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 2.67%
• 6M: 1.44%
• YTD: 5.92%
• 1Y: 5.38%
• 3Y*: 6.86%
• 5Y*: 1.39%
• 10Y*: 4.67%

XLRE

• 1D: -0.51%
• 1M: 0.54%
• 6M: 10.63%
• YTD: 15.07%
• 1Y: 14.41%
• 3Y*: 10.89%
• 5Y*: 4.92%
• 10Y*: 7.16%

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

VRE.TO vs. XLRE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VRE.TO Vanguard FTSE Canadian Capped REIT Index ETF	5.92%	4.62%	7.38%	9.26%	-22.66%	35.56%	-12.25%	21.13%	1.88%	10.10%
XLRE Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund	15.07%	-2.06%	13.99%	9.69%	-21.58%	46.03%	-4.51%	23.38%	5.82%	3.20%

Correlation

The correlation between VRE.TO and XLRE is 0.51, 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	0.51
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 8, 2015	0.51

The correlation between VRE.TO and XLRE has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.59 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VRE.TO vs. XLRE — Risk / Return Rank

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

VRE.TO

VRE.TO Risk / Return Rank: 15
VRE.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
VRE.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
VRE.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 15
VRE.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 14
VRE.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 14

XLRE

XLRE Risk / Return Rank: 29
XLRE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
XLRE Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
XLRE Omega Ratio Rank: 25
XLRE Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
XLRE 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.

VRE.TO vs. XLRE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Canadian Capped REIT Index ETF (VRE.TO) and Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE). 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.

	VRE.TO	XLRE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.41	0.98	-0.58
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.67	1.41	-0.74
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.18	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.37	2.00	-1.63
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.78	4.52	-3.75

VRE.TO vs. XLRE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VRE.TO Sharpe Ratio is 0.41, which is lower than the XLRE Sharpe Ratio of 0.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VRE.TO and XLRE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VRE.TO vs. XLRE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VRE.TO drawdown since its inception was -48.06%, which is greater than XLRE's maximum drawdown of -33.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRE.TO and XLRE.

Drawdown Indicators

	VRE.TO	XLRE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.06%	-33.29%	-14.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.48%	-7.23%	-7.25%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.42%	-15.48%	-2.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.85%	-29.02%	-0.83%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.06%	-33.29%	-14.77%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.26%	-2.54%	-0.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.22%	-8.35%	+0.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.95%	3.19%	+3.76%

Volatility

VRE.TO vs. XLRE - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Canadian Capped REIT Index ETF (VRE.TO) is 3.83%, while Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) has a volatility of 5.25%. This indicates that VRE.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XLRE based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VRE.TO	XLRE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.83%	5.25%	-1.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.35%	11.28%	-0.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.22%	14.75%	-1.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.01%	19.98%	-3.97%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.54%	21.28%	-3.74%

VRE.TO vs. XLRE - Expense Ratio Comparison

VRE.TO has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than XLRE's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

VRE.TO vs. XLRE - Dividend Comparison

VRE.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.68%, less than XLRE's 3.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VRE.TO Vanguard FTSE Canadian Capped REIT Index ETF	2.68%	2.84%	2.97%	2.65%	4.75%	2.73%	3.74%	5.15%	3.83%	3.72%	4.10%	2.01%
XLRE Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund	3.15%	3.45%	3.43%	3.31%	3.70%	2.61%	3.15%	3.06%	3.78%	3.25%	4.22%	1.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VRE.TO and XLRE in my portfolio?

VRE.TO and XLRE have a correlation of 0.51, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VRE.TO or XLRE?

On fees, XLRE is cheaper at 0.13% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VRE.TO or XLRE?

XLRE is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for VRE.TO.

What is the main difference between VRE.TO and XLRE?

VRE.TO tracks FTSE CA All Cap RE Capped 25% Idx, while XLRE tracks Real Estate Select Sector Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for VRE.TO and 0.13% for XLRE.