The Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF Shares (VNQ) and the Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF (SCHP) are both among the Top 100 ETFs. VNQ is a Vanguard Real Estate fund and SCHP is a Schwab ETFs Inflation-Protected Bond fund. So, what’s the difference between VNQ and SCHP? And which fund is better?
The expense ratio of VNQ is 0.07 percentage points higher than SCHP’s (0.12% vs. 0.05%). VNQ also has a high exposure to the real estate sector while SCHP is mostly comprised of AAA bonds. Overall, VNQ has provided higher returns than SCHP over the past ten years.
In this article, we’ll compare VNQ vs. SCHP. We’ll look at industry exposure and annual returns, as well as at their portfolio growth and holdings. Moreover, I’ll also discuss VNQ’s and SCHP’s risk metrics, fund composition, and performance and examine how these affect their overall returns.
FYI: Another great way to get exposure to the real estate sector is by investing in real estate debt. Groundfloor offers fantastic short-term, high-yield bonds that can add diversification to your portfolio!
Summary
| VNQ | SCHP | |
| Name | Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF Shares | Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF |
| Category | Real Estate | Inflation-Protected Bond |
| Issuer | Vanguard | Schwab ETFs |
| AUM | 77.34B | 18.41B |
| Avg. Return | 11.05% | 3.92% |
| Div. Yield | 2.34% | 1.97% |
| Expense Ratio | 0.12% | 0.05% |
The Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF Shares (VNQ) is a Real Estate fund that is issued by Vanguard. It currently has 77.34B total assets under management and has yielded an average annual return of 11.05% over the past 10 years. The fund has a dividend yield of 2.34% with an expense ratio of 0.12%.
The Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF (SCHP) is a Inflation-Protected Bond fund that is issued by Schwab ETFs. It currently has 18.41B total assets under management and has yielded an average annual return of 3.92% over the past 10 years. The fund has a dividend yield of 1.97% with an expense ratio of 0.05%.
VNQ’s dividend yield is 0.37% higher than that of SCHP (2.34% vs. 1.97%). Also, VNQ yielded on average 7.13% more per year over the past decade (11.05% vs. 3.92%). The expense ratio of VNQ is 0.07 percentage points higher than SCHP’s (0.12% vs. 0.05%).
FYI: The best way I've found to invest is through M1 Finance. It's free and you even get an instant line of credit and 100$! Have a look here (link to M1 Finance).
Fund Composition
Holdings
| VNQ Holdings | Weight |
| Vanguard Real Estate II Index | 11.62% |
| American Tower Corp | 7.24% |
| Prologis Inc | 5.33% |
| Crown Castle International Corp | 5.01% |
| Equinix Inc | 4.3% |
| Public Storage | 2.85% |
| Simon Property Group Inc | 2.52% |
| Digital Realty Trust Inc | 2.49% |
| SBA Communications Corp | 2.1% |
| Welltower Inc | 2.09% |
VNQ’s Top Holdings are Vanguard Real Estate II Index, American Tower Corp, Prologis Inc, Crown Castle International Corp, and Equinix Inc at 11.62%, 7.24%, 5.33%, 5.01%, and 4.3%.
Public Storage (2.85%), Simon Property Group Inc (2.52%), and Digital Realty Trust Inc (2.49%) have a slightly smaller but still significant weight. SBA Communications Corp and Welltower Inc are also represented in the VNQ’s holdings at 2.1% and 2.09%.
| SCHP Bond Sectors | Weight |
| AAA | 100.0% |
| Others | 0.0% |
| Below B | 0.0% |
| B | 0.0% |
| BB | 0.0% |
| BBB | 0.0% |
| A | 0.0% |
| AA | 0.0% |
| US Government | 0.0% |
SCHP’s Top Bond Sectors are ratings of AAA, Others, Below B, B, and BB at 100.0%, 0.0%, 0.0%, 0.0%, and 0.0%. The fund is less weighted towards BBB (0.0%), A (0.0%), and AA (0.0%) rated bonds.
Risk Analysis
| VNQ | SCHP | |
| Mean Return | 0.89 | 0.28 |
| R-squared | 44.4 | 66.16 |
| Std. Deviation | 16.13 | 4.32 |
| Alpha | 2.47 | -0.5 |
| Beta | 0.76 | 1.17 |
| Sharpe Ratio | 0.62 | 0.64 |
| Treynor Ratio | 11.9 | 2.31 |
The Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF Shares (VNQ) has a Mean Return of 0.89 with a Beta of 0.76 and a Alpha of 2.47. Its Standard Deviation is 16.13 while VNQ’s R-squared is 44.4. Furthermore, the fund has a Treynor Ratio of 11.9 and a Sharpe Ratio of 0.62.
The Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF (SCHP) has a Mean Return of 0.28 with a Treynor Ratio of 2.31 and a R-squared of 66.16. Its Beta is 1.17 while SCHP’s Standard Deviation is 4.32. Furthermore, the fund has a Alpha of -0.5 and a Sharpe Ratio of 0.64.
VNQ’s Mean Return is 0.61 points higher than that of SCHP and its R-squared is 21.76 points lower. With a Standard Deviation of 16.13, VNQ is slightly more volatile than SCHP. The Alpha and Beta of VNQ are 2.97 points higher and 0.41 points lower than SCHP’s Alpha and Beta.
NOTE: The easiest way to add diversification to your portfolio is to invest in real estate through Fundrise. You can become private real estate investor without the burden of property management! Check it out here (link to Fundrise).
Performance
Annual Returns
| Year | VNQ | SCHP |
| 2020 | -4.72% | 10.94% |
| 2019 | 28.91% | 8.36% |
| 2018 | -5.95% | -1.31% |
| 2017 | 4.95% | 2.95% |
| 2016 | 8.53% | 4.6% |
| 2015 | 2.37% | -1.5% |
| 2014 | 30.29% | 3.56% |
| 2013 | 2.42% | -8.66% |
| 2012 | 17.67% | 6.83% |
| 2011 | 8.62% | 13.38% |
| 2010 | 28.44% | 0.0% |
VNQ had its best year in 2014 with an annual return of 30.29%. VNQ’s worst year over the past decade yielded -5.95% and occurred in 2018. In most years the Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF Shares provided moderate returns such as in 2017, 2016, and 2011 where annual returns amounted to 4.95%, 8.53%, and 8.62% respectively.
The year 2011 was the strongest year for SCHP, returning 13.38% on an annual basis. The poorest year for SCHP in the last ten years was 2013, with a yield of -8.66%. Most years the Schwab U.S. TIPS ETF has given investors modest returns, such as in 2017, 2014, and 2016, when gains were 2.95%, 3.56%, and 4.6% respectively.
Portfolio Growth
| Fund | Initial Balance | Final Balance | CAGR |
| VNQ | $10,000 | $22,973 | 11.05% |
| SCHP | $10,000 | $14,418 | 3.92% |
A $10,000 investment in VNQ would have resulted in a final balance of $22,973. This is a profit of $12,973 over 10 years and amounts to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.05%.
With a $10,000 investment in SCHP, the end total would have been $14,418. This equates to a $4,418 profit over 10 years and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.92%.
VNQ’s CAGR is 7.13 percentage points higher than that of SCHP and as a result, would have yielded $8,555 more on a $10,000 investment. Thus, VNQ outperformed SCHP by 7.13% annually.
Current recommendations:
Over the past years, I have discovered several tools and products that have helped me tremendously on my path to financial freedom:
P.S.: The links below are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you when you sign up for one of the services. Thank you for your support!
1)Personal Capital is simply the best tool out there to track your net worth and plan for financial freedom. Just their retirement planner alone has become an invaluable tool to keep myself on track financially. Try it out, it's free!
2) Take a look at M1 Finance, my favorite broker. I love how easy it is to invest and maintain my portfolio with them. I can set up automatic transfers, rebalance my portfolio with one click and even borrow up to 35% of my assets at super low interest rates!
3) Fundrise is by far the best way I've found to invest in Real Estate. You can diversify your portfolio by investing in their eREITs or even allocate capital to individual properties (without the hassle of managing tenants!).
4) Groundfloor is another great way to get exposure to the real estate sector by investing in short-term, high-yield real estate debt. Current returns are >10% and you can get started with just $10.
5) If you are interested in startup investing, check out Mainvest. I've started allocating a small amount of assets to invest in and support small businesses. Return targets are between 10-25% and you can start with just $100!
To see all of my most up-to-date recommendations, check out the Recommended Tools section.
I believe that money is just a means to an end: to be free to spend your time as you wish, to maximize your positive impact on the world.
