HAUZ vs. RWX: Which Real Estate ETF Has the Edge?

by

The Xtrackers International Real Estate ETF (HAUZ, up 0.71%) is a strong choice because it has lower fees, a higher dividend yield, and invests in a wider range of properties than the State Street SPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF (RWX, up 0.35%). Both ETFs focus on international real estate and have performed equally well over the past year.

As someone who loves keeping an eye on the stock market, I’ve been looking at HAUZ and RWX, both of which let you invest in real estate companies around the world, outside of the U.S. But they’re not quite the same! I wanted to break down the differences – things like how much they cost to own, how diverse their holdings are, and what types of property companies they focus on. This comparison will cover everything from fees and performance to the practical stuff investors like me should think about before choosing one.

Snapshot (cost & size)

Metric RWX HAUZ
Issuer SPDR Xtrackers
Expense ratio 0.59% 0.10%
1-yr return (as of 2026-03-16) 13.4% 13.4%
Dividend yield 3.6% 4.4%
Beta 0.77 0.75
AUM $284.6 million $1.0 billion

Beta shows how much a stock’s price tends to move compared to the overall stock market, specifically the S&P 500. It’s calculated using five years of monthly returns. The 1-year return simply shows the total gain or loss over the past 12 months.

HAUZ is cheaper than RWX, with an annual fee of only 0.10% compared to RWX’s 0.59%. Plus, HAUZ offers a better return on investment, yielding 4.4% versus RWX’s 3.6%.

Performance & risk comparison

Metric RWX HAUZ
Max drawdown (5 y) -35.92% -34.53%
Growth of $1,000 over 5 years $797 $850

What’s inside

HAUZ invests in a diverse range of real estate across both developed and growing economies, currently holding positions in 412 companies over its 12.5-year history. The vast majority of its investments are in real estate (96%), with smaller amounts allocated to industrial and communication companies. Some of its key holdings include Goodman Group (up 2.14%), Mitsubishi Estate Co Ltd (up 0.56%), and Mitsui Fudosan Co Ltd (up 1.01%). Importantly, HAUZ does not use borrowing or currency hedging strategies.

RWX is highly focused, investing in just 121 different companies. It holds a significant 39% of its assets in cash and other areas, with the remaining 61% in real estate. Its largest investments are in Mitsui Fudosan Co Ltd, Swiss Prime Site, and Scentre Group, indicating a concentration on specific property sectors. While both RWX and its peer fund track global real estate, RWX is less diversified and has a different breakdown of investments within the property market.

For more guidance on ETF investing, check out the full guide at this link.

What this means for investors

A well-rounded investment portfolio is a good idea, and for many investors, that includes real estate. Real estate exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, are a popular way to do this. Two options, Xtrackers International Real Estate ETF (HAUZ) and State Street SPDR Dow Jones International Real Estate ETF (RWX), are both suitable, but let’s compare them to see how they differ.

Let’s start with HAUZ. It currently performs better in key areas. Specifically, its annual expenses are much lower – just 0.10% compared to 0.59%. It also pays a higher dividend, offering a 4.4% yield versus 3.6%. Plus, HAUZ is a larger fund with $1.0 billion in assets, compared to $0.3 billion, which means it’s easier for investors to trade shares.

RWX doesn’t really stand out compared to HAUZ. It holds fewer properties (121 versus 412), which might be attractive to investors who want a more focused approach to real estate. Over the past year, both funds have performed equally well, each increasing in value by 13.4%.

Overall, HAUZ appears to be the stronger option, but RWX could still be preferred by some investors based on their individual needs and what they’re hoping to achieve with their investments.

Read More

2026-03-18 19:46