WTRE vs. FRI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

WTRE (WisdomTree New Economy Real Estate ETF) and FRI (First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund) are both REIT funds - WTRE tracks the CenterSquare New Economy Real Estate Index while FRI tracks the S&P United States REIT. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, WTRE returned 3.90%/yr vs 5.62%/yr for FRI. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. WTRE charges 0.58%/yr vs 0.50%/yr for FRI.

Performance

WTRE vs. FRI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in WisdomTree New Economy Real Estate ETF (WTRE) and First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund (FRI). 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 FRI's 11.90% return. Over the past 10 years, WTRE has underperformed FRI with an annualized return of 3.90%, while FRI has yielded a comparatively higher 5.62% 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%

FRI

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: -0.46%
• YTD: 11.90%
• 6M: 10.60%
• 1Y: 14.73%
• 3Y*: 11.09%
• 5Y*: 4.41%
• 10Y*: 5.62%

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

WTRE vs. FRI - 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%
FRI First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund	11.90%	2.80%	7.84%	13.33%	-24.66%	42.55%	-7.90%	23.67%	-4.28%	3.86%

Correlation

The correlation between WTRE and FRI is 0.46, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.46
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.76
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2007	0.60

The correlation between WTRE and FRI shifts across timeframes, from 0.46 (1 year) to 0.76 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

WTRE vs. FRI - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	WTRE	FRI
Real Estate	64.0%	96.2%
Communication Services	14.3%	-
Technology	11.8%	-
Financial Services	5.8%	2.3%
Basic Materials	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Energy	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Industrials	-	-
Utilities	-	0.8%

Return for Risk

WTRE vs. FRI — 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

FRI

FRI Risk / Return Rank: 34
FRI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 31
FRI Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
FRI Omega Ratio Rank: 29
FRI Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
FRI Martin Ratio Rank: 39

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. FRI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for WisdomTree New Economy Real Estate ETF (WTRE) and First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund (FRI). 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	FRI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.30	1.13	+1.17
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.98	1.59	+1.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.37	1.20	+0.17
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.31	1.95	+1.35
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.18	6.21	+2.96
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. FRI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current WTRE Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is higher than the FRI Sharpe Ratio of 1.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of WTRE and FRI, 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	FRI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.30	1.13	+1.17
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	0.24	-0.14
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.21	0.27	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.07	0.18	-0.11

Drawdowns

WTRE vs. FRI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum WTRE drawdown since its inception was -74.18%, roughly equal to the maximum FRI drawdown of -71.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for WTRE and FRI.

Drawdown Indicators

	WTRE	FRI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.18%	-71.95%	-2.23%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.22%	-7.57%	-6.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.14%	-18.90%	-3.24%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-43.87%	-31.21%	-12.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-48.47%	-44.16%	-4.31%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.68%	-3.24%	+0.56%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-24.98%	-13.70%	-11.28%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.12%	2.38%	+2.74%

Volatility

WTRE vs. FRI - Volatility Comparison

WisdomTree New Economy Real Estate ETF (WTRE) has a higher volatility of 6.54% compared to First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund (FRI) at 3.93%. This indicates that WTRE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FRI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	WTRE	FRI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.54%	3.93%	+2.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.84%	9.14%	+6.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.42%	13.05%	+7.37%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.31%	18.65%	+0.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.49%	21.06%	-2.57%

WTRE vs. FRI - Expense Ratio Comparison

WTRE has a 0.58% expense ratio, which is higher than FRI's 0.50% expense ratio.

Dividends

WTRE vs. FRI - Dividend Comparison

WTRE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.97%, less than FRI's 2.60% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FRI First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund	2.60%	2.99%	3.33%	3.24%	2.52%	1.44%	3.08%	2.28%	3.21%	2.82%	3.27%	2.66%
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 FRI in my portfolio?

WTRE and FRI have a correlation of 0.46, 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 FRI?

WTRE has higher volatility (6.54%) compared to FRI (3.93%). In terms of maximum drawdown, WTRE dropped -74.18% vs FRI's -71.95%.

Which ETF is better, WTRE or FRI?

On 10-year performance, FRI leads with 5.62% vs 3.90% for WTRE. On fees, FRI is cheaper at 0.50% per year. On volatility, FRI has been the lower-risk option at 3.93%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, WTRE or FRI?

Over the 10-year period, FRI has performed better with a 5.62% 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 FRI?

FRI is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.58% for WTRE.

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

FRI has the higher dividend yield at 2.60%, compared with 1.97% for WTRE.

What is the main difference between WTRE and FRI?

WTRE tracks CenterSquare New Economy Real Estate Index, while FRI tracks S&P United States REIT. They also come from different issuers: WisdomTree and First Trust. Their fees differ too: 0.58% for WTRE and 0.50% for FRI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

WTRE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.30 vs 1.13), 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.