WTRE vs. FREL

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WTRE (WisdomTree New Economy Real Estate ETF) and FREL (Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF) are both REIT funds - WTRE tracks the CenterSquare New Economy Real Estate Index while FREL tracks the MSCI USA IMI Real Estate Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, WTRE returned 3.90%/yr vs 5.67%/yr for FREL. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. WTRE charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for FREL.

Performance

WTRE vs. FREL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree New Economy Real Estate ETF (WTRE) and Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, WTRE achieves a 23.34% return, which is significantly higher than FREL's 7.59% return. Over the past 10 years, WTRE has underperformed FREL with an annualized return of 3.90%, while FREL has yielded a comparatively higher 5.67% annualized return.

WTRE

• 1D: -1.36%
• 1M: 6.43%
• YTD: 23.34%
• 6M: 23.21%
• 1Y: 46.82%
• 3Y*: 18.73%
• 5Y*: 1.80%
• 10Y*: 3.90%

FREL

• 1D: -0.14%
• 1M: -1.00%
• YTD: 7.59%
• 6M: 6.51%
• 1Y: 9.81%
• 3Y*: 9.05%
• 5Y*: 2.09%
• 10Y*: 5.67%

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

WTRE vs. FREL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
WTRE WisdomTree New Economy Real Estate ETF	23.34%	26.36%	-3.27%	14.07%	-31.68%	1.00%	-15.74%	22.28%	-11.21%	37.80%
FREL Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF	7.59%	3.09%	5.05%	11.74%	-26.21%	40.46%	-4.99%	28.78%	-4.52%	8.86%

Correlation

The correlation between WTRE and FREL 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	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.78
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 6, 2015	0.64

The correlation between WTRE and FREL shifts across timeframes, from 0.51 (1 year) to 0.78 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

WTRE vs. FREL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WTRE	FREL
Real Estate	64.0%	97.6%
Communication Services	14.3%	0.4%
Technology	11.8%	0.3%
Financial Services	5.8%	0.0%
Basic Materials	-	1.2%
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	0.1%
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

WTRE vs. FREL — Risk / Return Rank

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

WTRE

WTRE Risk / Return Rank: 62
WTRE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
WTRE Sortino Ratio Rank: 63
WTRE Omega Ratio Rank: 60
WTRE Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
WTRE Martin Ratio Rank: 53

FREL

FREL Risk / Return Rank: 22
FREL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
FREL Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
FREL Omega Ratio Rank: 20
FREL Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
FREL Martin Ratio Rank: 26

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.

WTRE vs. FREL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree New Economy Real Estate ETF (WTRE) and Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL). 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.

	WTRE	FREL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	0.75	+1.56
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.98	1.10	+1.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.14	+0.23
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.31	1.17	+2.14
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.18	3.67	+5.51
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

WTRE vs. FREL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WTRE Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is higher than the FREL Sharpe Ratio of 0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WTRE and FREL, 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

	WTRE	FREL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	0.75	+1.56
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	0.11	-0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21	0.28	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.07	0.25	-0.19

Drawdowns

WTRE vs. FREL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WTRE drawdown since its inception was -74.18%, which is greater than FREL's maximum drawdown of -42.61%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WTRE and FREL.

Drawdown Indicators

	WTRE	FREL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.18%	-42.61%	-31.57%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.22%	-8.45%	-5.77%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.14%	-17.54%	-4.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.87%	-34.40%	-9.47%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.47%	-42.61%	-5.86%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.68%	-3.93%	+1.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.98%	-9.95%	-15.03%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.12%	2.68%	+2.44%

Volatility

WTRE vs. FREL - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree New Economy Real Estate ETF (WTRE) has a higher volatility of 6.54% compared to Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF (FREL) at 3.75%. This indicates that WTRE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FREL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WTRE	FREL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.54%	3.75%	+2.79%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.84%	9.27%	+6.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.42%	13.17%	+7.25%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.31%	18.84%	+0.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.49%	20.67%	-2.18%

WTRE vs. FREL - Expense Ratio Comparison

WTRE has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than FREL's 0.08% expense ratio.

Dividends

WTRE vs. FREL - Dividend Comparison

WTRE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.97%, less than FREL's 3.34% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FREL Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF	3.34%	3.59%	3.48%	3.73%	3.57%	2.34%	3.77%	3.32%	5.54%	3.27%	4.01%	3.80%
WTRE WisdomTree New Economy Real Estate ETF	1.97%	2.33%	2.69%	2.05%	1.68%	6.47%	2.96%	7.88%	4.49%	6.34%	5.96%	4.58%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both WTRE and FREL in my portfolio?

WTRE and FREL 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 is riskier, WTRE or FREL?

WTRE has higher volatility (6.54%) compared to FREL (3.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WTRE dropped -74.18% vs FREL's -42.61%.

Which ETF is better, WTRE or FREL?

On 10-year performance, FREL leads with 5.67% vs 3.90% for WTRE. On fees, FREL is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, FREL has been the lower-risk option at 3.75%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WTRE or FREL?

Over the 10-year period, FREL has performed better with a 5.67% return vs 3.90%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, WTRE or FREL?

FREL is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for WTRE.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, WTRE or FREL?

FREL has the higher dividend yield at 3.34%, compared with 1.97% for WTRE.

What is the main difference between WTRE and FREL?

WTRE tracks CenterSquare New Economy Real Estate Index, while FREL tracks MSCI USA IMI Real Estate Index. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and Fidelity. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for WTRE and 0.08% for FREL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WTRE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 0.75), 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.