RFI vs VTI
Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund Inc. vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, RFI or VTI?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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 | RFI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.89% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $1,524.6 | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.23% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 193 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +4.49% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | -1.93% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.59% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.41% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.8% | 15.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.1% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,797 | $17,908Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 49.7% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Cohen & Steers Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 27, 1993 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 22, 2005 to Sep 18, 2026 (20.7 years).
RFI vs VTI 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 20.7 years both funds cover.
RFI vs VTI Performance
Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund Inc. (RFI) is an ETF from Cohen & Steers Funds and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RFI returned -1.93% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, RFI is up 4.49% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, RFI compounded at +8.59% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -0.41% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 21-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.40% annualized vs -0.20%.
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 15.6% for VTI. 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 -80.1% for RFI and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.74. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RFI charges 0.89% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $89 vs $3 annually, a gap of $86 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RFI currently yields 8.23% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
80.0% of RFI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.5% of VTI's money is in holdings RFI also owns.
Most of RFI is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, RFI as of Mar 31, 2026 and VTI as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
41 positions in common, counted across the 157 positions we hold weights for in RFI and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 193 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,113 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for RFI (95.0% of the fund), and 113 for RFI that do not appear in VTI (16.5%).
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 RFI | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 12.20% | 0.23% | 11.97% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 7.47% | 0.09% | 7.38% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corporation | 5.94% | 0.11% | 5.83% |
| CCICrown Castle International Corp | 4.83% | 0.05% | 4.78% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 4.54% | 0.19% | 4.35% |
| EXRExtra Space Storage Inc. | 3.34% | 0.04% | 3.30% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 3.10% | 0.14% | 2.96% |
| KIMKimco Realty Corp. | 3.03% | 0.02% | 3.01% |
| IRMIron Mtn Inc New Com Npv | 2.87% | 0.05% | 2.82% |
| ELSEquity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. | 2.40% | 0.02% | 2.38% |
80.0% of RFI is already inside VTI.
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, RFI or VTI?
RFI has an expense ratio of 0.89% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $86 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RFI or VTI?
Over the past year RFI returned -1.93% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (21 years), RFI annualized -0.20% vs +9.40% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RFI or VTI?
RFI has been the more volatile fund at 22.8% annualized versus 15.6% for VTI. Worst drawdown: RFI -80.1% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both RFI and VTI?
RFI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.74, 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 RFI and VTI?
80.0% of RFI's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.5% of VTI's is in holdings RFI also owns. They hold 41 positions in common, counted across the 157 positions we hold weights for in RFI and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, RFI or VTI?
RFI yields 8.23% while VTI yields 1.03%, so RFI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than RFI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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.