RQI vs VYM
Cohen & Steers Quality Income Realty Fund Inc vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, RQI or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
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 | RQI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 3.45% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1,620.47 | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 8.96% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 208 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +6.26% | +11.71%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.93% | +16.24%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.75% | +17.24%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.62% | +11.86%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 36.0% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -94.1% | -58.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,837 | $17,514Best |
| Fund Family | Cohen & Steers Funds | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 28, 2002 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 16, 2026 (19.8 years).
RQI 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
RQI vs VYM Performance
Cohen & Steers Quality Income Realty Fund Inc (RQI) is an ETF from Cohen & Steers Funds and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RQI returned +0.93% while VYM returned +16.24%. Year to date, RQI is up 6.26% versus a gain of 11.71% for VYM.
Over three years, RQI compounded at +9.75% per year against +17.24% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +1.62% and +11.86% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.84% annualized vs -1.53%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RQI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 36.0% 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 -94.1% for RQI 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 0.67. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RQI charges 3.45% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $345 vs $4 annually, a gap of $341 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RQI currently yields 8.96% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
At least 2.8% of VYM's money is in holdings RQI also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for RQI, our book for it lists positions totalling 138.2% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
VYM and RQI share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, RQI 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 170 positions we hold weights for in RQI and 557 in VYM, against full books of 208 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RQI 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, RQI or VYM?
RQI has an expense ratio of 3.45% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $341 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RQI or VYM?
Over the past year RQI returned +0.93% vs +16.24% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), RQI annualized -1.53% vs +6.84% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RQI or VYM?
RQI has been the more volatile fund at 36.0% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: RQI -94.1% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both RQI and VYM?
RQI and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.67, 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 RQI and VYM?
At least 2.8% of VYM's money is in holdings RQI also owns. Our book for RQI is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 170 positions we hold weights for in RQI and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, RQI or VYM?
RQI yields 8.96% while VYM yields 2.22%, so RQI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than RQI?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.