RFI vs VYM
Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund Inc. vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, RFI or VYM?
Large Cap Growth against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% 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 | RFI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.89% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1,524.6 | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.23% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 193 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +2.55% | +10.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | -3.35% | +14.28%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.66% | +17.50%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.81% | +11.60%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 23.1% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -80.1% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,602 | $17,311Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 49.7% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Cohen & Steers Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Growth | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 27, 1993 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 23, 2026 (19.9 years).
RFI vs VYM 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 19.9 years both funds cover.
RFI vs VYM Performance
Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund Inc. (RFI) is an ETF from Cohen & Steers Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RFI returned -3.35% while VYM returned +14.28%. Year to date, RFI is up 2.55% versus a gain of 10.23% for VYM.
Over three years, RFI compounded at +8.66% per year against +17.50% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -0.81% and +11.60% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.76% annualized vs -0.87%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RFI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.1% compared with 14.6% for VYM. 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 -58.8% for VYM. 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
RFI charges 0.89% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $89 vs $4 annually, a gap of $85 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RFI currently yields 8.23% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.2% of RFI's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 2.8% of VYM's money is in holdings RFI also owns.
VYM and RFI share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, RFI as of Mar 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
3 positions in common, counted across the 157 positions we hold weights for in RFI and 557 in VYM, against full books of 193 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 525 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for RFI (94.3% of the fund), and 153 for RFI that do not appear in VYM (96.3%).
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.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RFI and VYM you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, RFI or VYM?
RFI has an expense ratio of 0.89% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $85 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RFI or VYM?
Over the past year RFI returned -3.35% vs +14.28% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), RFI annualized -0.87% vs +6.76% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RFI or VYM?
RFI has been the more volatile fund at 23.1% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: RFI -80.1% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both RFI and VYM?
RFI and VYM 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 RFI and VYM?
2.8% of VYM's money is in holdings RFI also owns. 2.8% of VYM's is in holdings RFI also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 157 positions we hold weights for in RFI and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, RFI or VYM?
RFI yields 8.23% while VYM yields 2.22%, so RFI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than RFI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% 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.