WHLR vs. VNQ

Last updated Jul 1, 2026

WHLR (Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.) is a stock, while VNQ (Vanguard Real Estate ETF) is REIT fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index. Over the past 10 years, WHLR returned -88.72%/yr vs 4.92%/yr for VNQ. At a 0.07 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

WHLR vs. VNQ - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WHLR achieves a -97.96% return, which is significantly lower than VNQ's 11.11% return. Over the past 10 years, WHLR has underperformed VNQ with an annualized return of -88.72%, while VNQ has yielded a comparatively higher 4.92% annualized return.

WHLR

• 1D: -3.10%
• 1M: -69.95%
• YTD: -97.96%
• 6M: -98.03%
• 1Y: -99.94%
• 3Y*: -99.82%
• 5Y*: -98.54%
• 10Y*: -88.72%

VNQ

• 1D: -1.75%
• 1M: 1.65%
• YTD: 11.11%
• 6M: 10.20%
• 1Y: 12.47%
• 3Y*: 9.13%
• 5Y*: 2.71%
• 10Y*: 4.92%

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

WHLR vs. VNQ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WHLR Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.	-97.96%	-99.96%	-98.47%	-97.81%	-28.03%	-29.96%	68.90%	84.06%	-91.07%	-17.07%
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF	11.11%	3.24%	4.81%	11.85%	-26.25%	40.54%	-4.61%	28.91%	-6.03%	4.90%

Correlation

The correlation between WHLR and VNQ is 0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.03
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.05
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.08
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 19, 2012	0.08

Return for Risk

WHLR vs. VNQ — Risk / Return Rank

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

WHLR

WHLR Risk / Return Rank: 8
WHLR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
WHLR Sortino Ratio Rank: 0
WHLR Omega Ratio Rank: 0
WHLR Calmar Ratio Rank: 1
WHLR Martin Ratio Rank: 18

VNQ

VNQ Risk / Return Rank: 29
VNQ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
VNQ Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
VNQ Omega Ratio Rank: 25
VNQ Calmar Ratio Rank: 33
VNQ Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

WHLR vs. VNQ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (WHLR) and Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ). 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.

	WHLR	VNQ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.57	0.91	-1.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-4.73	1.33	-6.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.50	1.16	-0.66
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-1.00	1.50	-2.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.13	4.73	-5.86

WHLR vs. VNQ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WHLR Sharpe Ratio is -0.57, which is lower than the VNQ Sharpe Ratio of 0.91. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WHLR and VNQ, 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

WHLR vs. VNQ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WHLR drawdown since its inception was -100.00%, which is greater than VNQ's maximum drawdown of -73.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WHLR and VNQ.

Drawdown Indicators

	WHLR	VNQ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-100.00%	-73.07%	-26.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-99.94%	-8.34%	-91.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-100.00%	-17.46%	-82.54%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-100.00%	-34.48%	-65.52%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-100.00%	-42.40%	-57.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-100.00%	-2.27%	-97.73%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-74.99%	-13.59%	-61.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	88.17%	2.64%	+85.53%

Volatility

WHLR vs. VNQ - Volatility Comparison

Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc. (WHLR) has a higher volatility of 48.86% compared to Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) at 5.62%. This indicates that WHLR's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VNQ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WHLR	VNQ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	48.86%	5.62%	+43.24%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	109.93%	10.45%	+99.48%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	176.47%	13.75%	+162.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	227.79%	18.89%	+208.90%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	171.59%	20.75%	+150.84%

Dividends

WHLR vs. VNQ - Dividend Comparison

WHLR has not paid dividends to shareholders, while VNQ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.60%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VNQ Vanguard Real Estate ETF	3.60%	3.92%	3.85%	3.95%	3.91%	2.56%	3.93%	3.39%	4.74%	4.23%	4.82%	3.92%
WHLR Wheeler Real Estate Investment Trust, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	14.43%	12.35%	12.69%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WHLR and VNQ in my portfolio?

WHLR and VNQ have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, WHLR or VNQ?

WHLR has higher volatility (48.86%) compared to VNQ (5.62%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WHLR dropped -100.00% vs VNQ's -73.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VNQ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.91 vs -0.57), 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.