VNQ ETF — Vanguard Real Estate ETF

Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ)

Updated October 2, 2026.

VNQ is a low-cost ETF that tracks the MSCI US IMI Real Estate 25/50 Index. its distribution rate is 3.60%, its trailing-12-month yield is 3.81%, its expense ratio is 0.13%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 89/100 (Safe). Total return is 363.0% over the past 22 years, 567.3 points behind SPY at 930.3%.

At the current 3.60% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $360 per year, or about $90.00 per quarter if the next payment matches the last regular one.

VNQ performance versus SPY

Price and return data through 2026-10-02.

Total return is 363.0% over the past 22 years, 567.3 points behind SPY at 930.3%. Over the past year its total return — price change plus distributions reinvested — is 2.0%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 10.9%.

VNQ key facts

Distribution Safety Score™

89 · Safe

Safety-Adjusted Yield

3.20%

Issuer

Vanguard

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

09/23/2004

Expense ratio

0.13%

Distribution rate

3.60%

Distribution frequency

Quarterly

Trailing yield

3.81%

Last close

$89.50 (as of 2026-10-02)

AUM

$36,488,708,023

Market cap

$35,085,754,368

Average volume

5041000.0

Last dividend

$0.8046

Last ex-dividend date

09/23/2026

Last payment date

09/25/2026 (as of 2026-09-25)

Beta

0.98

P/E ratio

27.9172

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (3.60%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (3.81%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. Total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested on the ex-dividend date (a modeling convention, not the cash-settlement date) from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is the security's total return, not your personal gain/loss.

Yield and safety methodology · Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology

Sources and review

Primary sources: Vanguard or company page; Index: MSCI US IMI Real Estate 25/50 Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

VNQ risks and drawbacks

VNQ's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are quarterly, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. Total return has trailed SPY over the available window. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 10.9%.

Who may consider VNQ — and who may not

VNQ may suit someone looking for low-cost broad dividend exposure, a high Distribution Safety Score, moderate current income with a quality tilt. It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (VNQ pays quarterly); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields; investors whose main goal is matching SPY total return. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Compare VNQ

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Frequently asked questions

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