Global Real Estate ETFs Diverge: VNQI Leads 1-Year Returns as GQRE Tops REET on Yield

Overview

• As of Jan. 8, 2026, VNQI returned 19.58% over 12 months versus 6.65% for REET, with dividend yields at 4.58% and 3.62%, respectively.
• REET outpaced VNQI over five years in price growth ($1,053 vs. $857 per $1,000), signaling weaker longer-term results for VNQI despite its recent rebound.
• VNQI charges 0.12% with $3.53 billion in assets and 742 non‑U.S. holdings across 30+ countries, while REET charges 0.14% with $4.33 billion and 377 global REITs that include the U.S.
• GQRE carries a 0.45% fee and smaller assets (~$342.6 million) but posted higher recent return and income than REET (7.08% 1‑year and 4.66% yield versus 6.65% and 3.62%).
• Strategies and portfolios diverge: GQRE tracks Northern Trust’s quality‑screened NTGQRE index with concentrated holdings such as American Tower, Digital Realty and Public Storage, VNQI emphasizes broad ex‑U.S. exposure led by Goodman Group, Mitsui Fudosan and Mitsubishi Estate, and REET holds large U.S. names like Welltower, Prologis and Equinix; VNQI distributes dividends annually versus REET’s quarterly payouts.