FRI vs VNQ
First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund compared with Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF Shares on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
FRI
First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund
TTM yield · Quarterly
VNQ
Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF Shares
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- VNQ yields more today: 3.57% vs 2.28% (forward).
- FRI has grown its payout faster: 7.4%/yr vs 1.8%/yr over the last 5 years.
- Both pay every quarter.
- Over the last year FRI delivered the higher total return: +14.3% vs +7.8% (price change plus payouts).
- VNQ is cheaper to own: 0.13% vs 0.50% expense ratio.
- VNQ has the steadier distribution: consistency 88/100 vs 50/100.
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | FRI | VNQ |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $31.24 | $95.93 |
| TTM yield | 2.49% | 3.62% |
| Forward yield | 2.28% | 3.57% |
| Annual payout per share | $0.712 | $3.42 |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Sep 24, 2026 (est.) | Sep 23, 2026 (est.) |
| Expense ratio | 0.50% | 0.13% |
| 1-year payout growth | -7.6% | +0.1% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | +7.4% | +1.8% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 0 years | 0 years |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 50/100 | 88/100 |
| 1-year total return | +14.3% | +7.8% |
| 1-year price return | +11.5% | +4.0% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 196.0M | 70.8B |
| Years paying | 18.7 | 21.7 |
| Sector / category | Real Estate | Real Estate |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| FRI | VNQ | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 320.1 | 104.2 |
| Income per year | $228 | $357 |
| Income per month (avg) | $19 | $30 |
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRI Sep 24, 2026 | Oct 8, 2026 | $0.178 | Est. |
| FRI Dec 24, 2026 | Jan 7, 2027 | $0.178 | Est. |
| FRI Mar 25, 2027 | Apr 8, 2027 | $0.178 | Est. |
| VNQ Sep 23, 2026 | Oct 7, 2026 | $0.855 | Est. |
| VNQ Dec 23, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | $0.855 | Est. |
| VNQ Mar 24, 2027 | Apr 7, 2027 | $0.855 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
FRIVNQ
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, FRI or VNQ?
VNQ currently has the higher trailing yield: FRI yields 2.49% and VNQ yields 3.62%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do FRI and VNQ pay?
FRI pays every quarter and VNQ pays every quarter. FRI's next ex-date is Sep 24, 2026 and VNQ's is Sep 23, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, FRI or VNQ?
FRI has grown its payout faster: 7.4%/yr vs 1.8%/yr over the last 5 years.
Is FRI or VNQ better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. FRI and VNQ differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.