RFMZ vs VTI
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund II Inc vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, RFMZ or VTI?
Long Term Municipal Bond 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 47.6%.
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 | RFMZ | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 4.27% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $313M | $690.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.99% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 126 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | -5.95% | +13.83%Best |
| 1Y Return | -6.99% | +15.70%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.96% | +22.56%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -4.15% | +12.44%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.5% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -39.5% | -25.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,090 | $17,972Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 47.6% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | RiverNorth | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | Long Term Municipal Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 24, 2021 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 24, 2021 to Oct 8, 2026 (5.6 years).
RFMZ 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 5.6 years both funds cover.
RFMZ vs VTI Performance
RiverNorth Flexible Municipal Income Fund II Inc (RFMZ) is an ETF from RiverNorth and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RFMZ returned -6.99% while VTI returned +15.70%. Year to date, RFMZ is down 5.95% versus a gain of 13.83% for VTI.
Over three years, RFMZ compounded at +4.96% per year against +22.56% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are -4.15% and +12.44% respectively. Across the full 6-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.04% annualized vs -2.92%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RFMZ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.5% compared with 15.3% 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 -39.5% for RFMZ and -25.4% 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 0.70. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RFMZ charges 4.27% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $427 vs $3 annually, a gap of $424 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RFMZ currently yields 6.99% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
9.1% of RFMZ's money is in holdings VTI also owns.
RFMZ and VTI share little of their money.
1 positions in common, counted across the 55 positions we hold weights for in RFMZ and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 126 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 1,150 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for RFMZ (97.5% of the fund), and 54 for RFMZ that do not appear in VTI (95.1%).
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 RFMZ | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| MHDBlackrock Muniholdings Fund | 9.14% | 0.00% | 9.14% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RFMZ and VTI 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, RFMZ or VTI?
RFMZ has an expense ratio of 4.27% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $424 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RFMZ or VTI?
Over the past year RFMZ returned -6.99% vs +15.70% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (6 years), RFMZ annualized -2.92% vs +13.04% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RFMZ or VTI?
RFMZ has been the more volatile fund at 15.5% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: RFMZ -39.5% vs VTI -25.4%.
Should I hold both RFMZ and VTI?
RFMZ and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.70, 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 RFMZ and VTI?
9.1% of RFMZ's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.0% of VTI's is in holdings RFMZ also owns. They hold 1 positions in common, counted across the 55 positions we hold weights for in RFMZ and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, RFMZ or VTI?
RFMZ yields 6.99% while VTI yields 1.03%, so RFMZ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than RFMZ?
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 47.6%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.