VNQ vs GLD — 20-Year Performance Comparison
Real Estate (REIT) vs Gold — backtested 2005–2024
GLD wins$55,289 vs $37,027 on $10,000 over 20 years
VNQReal Estate (REIT)
Final value$37,027
CAGR+6.8%
Max drawdown-47.3%
Best year+41% (2021)
Years won9 of 20
GLDGold
Final value$55,289
CAGR+8.9%
Max drawdown-37.4%
Best year+31% (2007)
Years won11 of 20
Growth of $10,000
2005–2024VNQGLD
VNQ$37,027
GLD$55,289
50/50 mix$51,677
50/50 blend: $51,677 (+8.6%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between VNQ and GLD would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than GLD but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: VNQ vs GLD
| Year | VNQ | GLD | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +4.8% | +26.7% | GLD |
| 2023 | +11.8% | +12.7% | GLD |
| 2022 | -26.2% | -0.8% | GLD |
| 2021 | +40.5% | -4.2% | VNQ |
| 2020 | -4.7% | +24.8% | GLD |
| 2019 | +28.9% | +17.9% | VNQ |
| 2018 | -6.0% | -1.9% | GLD |
| 2017 | +4.9% | +12.8% | GLD |
| 2016 | +8.6% | +8.0% | VNQ |
| 2015 | +2.4% | -10.7% | VNQ |
| 2014 | +30.4% | -2.2% | VNQ |
| 2013 | +2.3% | -28.3% | VNQ |
| 2012 | +17.6% | +6.6% | VNQ |
| 2011 | +8.6% | +9.6% | GLD |
| 2010 | +28.4% | +29.3% | GLD |
| 2009 | +30.1% | +24.0% | VNQ |
| 2008 | -37.0% | +5.0% | GLD |
| 2007 | -16.3% | +30.6% | GLD |
| 2006 | +35.2% | +22.2% | VNQ |
| 2005 | +11.6% | +18.0% | GLD |
More comparisons
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