VGSR ETF: What Is It? Returns, Expense Ratio, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs Explained
Vert Global Sustainable Real Estate ETF (VGSR) is an actively managed fund that selects global REITs meeting sustainability criteria. The key selection factors are its ESG real estate structure and how its security selection and regional exposure differ from REET, DFGR, and VNQI.
What Is the Vert Global Sustainable Real Estate ETF?
This is an actively managed global real estate ETF that invests in REITs from among U.S. and non-U.S. real estate companies that meet environmental, social, and governance criteria. It pursues real estate exposure and a sustainability perspective together.
It suits income-oriented investors who want to diversify across global real estate while also taking sustainability criteria into account.
It is an ETF run with an active management approach by Vert.
How Does the Vert Global Sustainable Real Estate ETF Invest?
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Investment target | Global sustainable REITs |
| Management style | Active (ESG screening) |
| Investment region | U.S. and non-U.S. |
| Dividend frequency | Quarterly |
| Total expense ratio | 0.45% |
The fund invests most of its net assets in companies principally engaged in the real estate industry, selecting REITs and real estate-related companies that meet environmental, social, and governance criteria. It diversifies across rent-generating properties in the U.S. and abroad, and actively builds its portfolio with a sustainability perspective.
- Real estate selection reflecting ESG criteria
- Exposure to U.S. and non-U.S. global real estate
Vert Global Sustainable Real Estate ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fee)
Assets under management (AUM) stand at $495.4M, and the total expense ratio is 0.45% per year.
Compared with general global real estate ETFs such as REET and DFGR, the main points of comparison are the sustainability screening criteria and the holdings composition.
Vert Global Sustainable Real Estate ETF Performance and Trends
Real estate stocks react sensitively to the interest rate environment, rental demand, and the economic cycle. They tend to strengthen when rates fall, as dividend appeal comes to the fore, and weaken when rates rise. Because of its global diversification, the fund tends to soften the risk of any single regional property market.
Fund flows into global real estate diverge depending on the rate outlook, rental demand, and currency movements, and demand for the sustainability theme can also draw money toward related products. It is also worth watching that performance varies with each country's property cycle and interest rate differences.
Vert Global Sustainable Real Estate ETF Strengths and Weaknesses
Global real estate diversification and sustainability screening are its strengths, while interest rate sensitivity, currency exposure, and sector concentration are considerations.
💪 Key Strengths
⚠️ Points to Watch
Alternative ETFs and Related Products to the Vert Global Sustainable Real Estate ETF
For those who want to focus on U.S. real estate without sustainability criteria, direct substitutes include VNQ, and for broadening exposure to overseas real estate, products such as RWX are also worth comparing. Those who want to focus on residential REITs can also consider products such as REZ. The REET, DFGR, and VNQI shown in the table each track global or international real estate on a market-cap-weighted basis, so they differ in sustainability screening. This ETF is distinguished by combining global real estate with ESG screening.
| Ticker | Name | Price | Change | AUM | Total Expense Ratio | Dividend Yield | 1Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Global REIT ETF | $26.69 | +1.0% | $4.8B | 0.14% | 3.49% | +5.9% | |
| Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF | $28.31 | +0.9% | $3.9B | 0.22% | 3.92% | +5.2% | |
| Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate ETF | $42.99 | +0.7% | $3.2B | 0.12% | 5.02% | -8.8% | |
| State Street SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF | $48.13 | +0.9% | $1.2B | 0.50% | 3.38% | +6.7% | |
| Xtrackers International Real Estate ETF | $21.64 | +0.9% | $1.1B | 0.10% | 3.77% | -7.1% |
| Ticker | Name | Weight | Price | Change | Market Cap | P/E | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EQIX | Equinix Inc | 0.12% | $993.69 | -2.0% | $98.4B | 59.7 | 2.08% |
| SPG | Simon Property Group Inc | 0.10% | $221.73 | +1.8% | $71.7B | 42.1 | 4.06% |
| WELL | Welltower Inc | 0.10% | $239.00 | +1.9% | $175.3B | - | 1.32% |
| DLR | Digital Realty Trust Inc | 0.05% | $175.95 | -2.6% | $65.3B | 73.8 | 2.78% |
| PLD | Prologis Inc | 0.10% | $129.65 | +1.3% | $125.7B | 28.6 | 3.3% |
| AMT | American Tower Corp | 0.05% | $188.30 | +0.3% | $87.3B | 26.5 | 3.8% |
Vert Global Sustainable Real Estate ETF Investor Checkpoints
Here are the points to review before investing in VGSR. ESG real estate diversification is appealing, but interest rate sensitivity, currency exposure, and sector concentration need to be checked in advance. It is also a good idea to compare it with general global and U.S. real estate products.
| Checkpoint | What to check | Current status |
|---|---|---|
| 🌱 Sustainability | Check suitability of ESG screening criteria | Criteria applied |
| 📉 Rate sensitivity | Review the rate environment and dividend appeal | Fairly sensitive |
| 💱 Currency | Review foreign currency exposure | No currency hedge |
| 🏢 Sector concentration | Review the weight of the single real estate sector | Real estate concentrated |
Rising interest rates, currency swings, and slowing property markets in various countries are the main variables for short-term performance, and because of its concentration in the single real estate sector, losses can be large during market crashes. With a large overseas share, currency movements also affect returns.
It is a suitable candidate for income-oriented investors who want to invest in global real estate with an added sustainability perspective. If you want U.S. real estate without sustainability criteria, a product such as VNQ is an option, and if you want ESG real estate diversification, it is advisable to compare it with this fund when making your choice.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.
This article reflects information as of June 10, 2026.