IVV vs RFI
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund Inc.
Which is better, IVV or RFI?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 38.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.7%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | IVV | RFI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.89% |
| AUM | $882.6B | $298M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 8.23% |
| Holdings | 508 | 193 |
| YTD Return | +13.60%Best | +1.39% |
| 1Y Return | +16.32%Best | -5.55% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +23.81%Best | +9.68% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +14.03%Best | -0.30% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1%Best | 22.8% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5%Best | -80.1% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,279Best | $9,851 |
| Top 10 Weight | 38.1%Best | 49.7% |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Cohen & Steers Funds |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Sep 27, 1993 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 22, 2005 to Oct 2, 2026 (20.8 years).
IVV vs RFI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 20.8 years both funds cover.
IVV vs RFI Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund Inc. (RFI) is an ETF from Cohen & Steers Funds. Over the past year IVV returned +16.32% while RFI returned -5.55%. Year to date, IVV is up 13.60% versus a gain of 1.39% for RFI.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +23.81% per year against +9.68% for RFI; over five years the annualized figures are +14.03% and -0.30% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +9.49% annualized vs -0.35%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RFI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.8% compared with 15.1% for IVV. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -56.5% for IVV and -80.1% for RFI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while RFI charges 0.89%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $89 annually, a gap of $86 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 8.23% for RFI.
Holdings Overlap
2.5% of IVV's money is in holdings RFI also owns. 61.4% of RFI's money is in holdings IVV also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
The two holdings books were reported 164 days apart, IVV as of Sep 11, 2026 and RFI as of Mar 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
22 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 157 in RFI, against full books of 508 and 193.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 132 positions for RFI that do not appear in our book for IVV (35.1% of the fund), and 474 for IVV that do not appear in RFI (96.8%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IVV | Weight in RFI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 0.25% | 12.20% | 11.95% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 0.10% | 7.47% | 7.37% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corporation | 0.13% | 5.94% | 5.81% |
| CCICrown Castle International Corp | 0.05% | 4.83% | 4.78% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 0.19% | 4.54% | 4.35% |
| EXRExtra Space Storage Inc. | 0.04% | 3.34% | 3.30% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 0.15% | 3.10% | 2.95% |
| KIMKimco Realty Corp. | 0.02% | 3.03% | 3.01% |
| IRMIron Mtn Inc New Com Npv | 0.05% | 2.87% | 2.82% |
| SPGSimon Property Group Inc | 0.10% | 2.29% | 2.19% |
61.4% of RFI is already inside IVV.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IVV or RFI?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while RFI charges 0.89%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $86 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or RFI?
Over the past year IVV returned +16.32% vs -5.55% for RFI, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), IVV annualized +9.49% vs -0.35% for RFI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or RFI?
RFI has been the more volatile fund at 22.8% annualized versus 15.1% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs RFI -80.1%.
Should I hold both IVV and RFI?
IVV and RFI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IVV and RFI?
61.4% of RFI's money is in holdings IVV also owns. 61.4% of RFI's is in holdings IVV also owns. They hold 22 positions in common, counted across the 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 157 in RFI.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or RFI?
IVV yields 1.06% while RFI yields 8.23%, so RFI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is RFI better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. IVV is less concentrated, with 38.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 49.7%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.