Year to date, the Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF (NYSE: VNQ) has risen by roughly 26%, easily beating the 18% gains from the S&P 500. Data from the National Association of REITs also shows that this asset class outperforms the S&P 500 Index 80% of the time during periods of high and rising inflation. For those unfamiliar, the company uses its in-house subsidiaries to help package, buy, and sell government-backed mortgages secured by residential real estate.