Vanguard REIT ETF (VNQ)

Vanguard REIT ETF (VNQ) is a popular index exchange traded fund. This ETF objective is to provide a high level of income and moderate long-term capital appreciation by tracking the performance of a benchmark index, the MSCI U.S. REIT Index. This top ETF invests mainly in publicly traded equity REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts).

VNQ Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 09/23/2004
• Ticker Symbol: VNQ
• CUSIP: 922908553
• Rank in category (YTD): 36%
• Category: Real Estate
• Yield: 4.41%
• Capital Gains: -
• Expense Ratio: 0.12%
• Total Assets: $ 33.81 billion
• Annual Turnover Rate: 11%

This exchange traded fund has total assets of $25.97 billion. The current dividend yield is 3.19%. With low expense fee of 0.10%, the current share price is $78.93. This large blend fund price has 52 week range between $63.96 and $80.18.

More: Best Real Estate ETFs 2014

You can buy this ETF through your brokerage for your retirement account or regular investment account. For 401k, please check with your administrator. Invest in ETF can be done with as little as 1 share (i.e. $78.93 per share). You may buy this REIT ETF from Vanguard Group for free.

Vanguard REIT ETF Performance

Morningstar has ranked this U.S. stock ETF with 4 stars rating. In 2014, the year-to-date return is 25.45%. The 1 year annualized return is 21.71%. This popular ETF has returned 15.32% over the past 3 years, and 19.24% over the past 5 years. Past 4 years performance is as follows:

• Year 2017: 1.05% (YTD)
• Year 2016: 8.60%
• Year 2015: 2.42%
• Year 2014: 30.36%
• Year 2013: 2.31%
• Year 2012: 17.63%
• Year 2011: 8.62%
• Year 2010: 28.37%

As of November 2014, top 5 stocks are Simon Property Group Inc (SPG), Public Storage (PSA), Equity Residential (EQR), Health Care REIT, Inc. (HCN), and Prologis Inc. Top sector is real estate.

More: Fidelity Real Estate Investment Fund (FRESX)

Pros:

• This Vanguard REIT ETF has very low expense fee of 0.09%.
• This real estate fund has a high yield for income.
• You can diversify your investment portfolio using this ETF.

Cons:

• None