RSF vs VTI
RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc. vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, RSF or VTI?
High Yield Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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 | RSF | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 5.25% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $52M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 9.12% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 9,552 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +8.32% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.62% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.31% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +4.43% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 8.6%Best | 16.0% |
| Max Drawdown | -44.2% | -35.0%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $12,420 | $17,908Best |
| Fund Family | RiverNorth | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | High Yield Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 22, 2016 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 1, 2016 to Sep 18, 2026 (9.8 years).
RSF 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 9.8 years both funds cover.
RSF vs VTI Performance
RiverNorth Capital and Income Fund, Inc. (RSF) is an ETF from RiverNorth and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RSF returned +9.62% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, RSF is up 8.32% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, RSF compounded at +8.31% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +4.43% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 10-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +13.89% annualized vs +0.12%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.0% compared with 8.6% for RSF. 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 -44.2% for RSF and -35.0% 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 0.32. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RSF charges 5.25% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $525 vs $3 annually, a gap of $522 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RSF currently yields 9.12% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 25 holdings in RSF and 3,463 in VTI, totalling 6.5% and 98.1% of the two funds. That is not enough of RSF to divide by, so no overlap percentage is shown here. Within what we can see, 1 positions appear in both.
The two holdings books were reported 122 days apart, RSF 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.
1 positions in common, counted across the 25 positions we hold weights for in RSF and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 9,552 and 3,543.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RSF | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATCHAtlasclear Holdings, Inc. | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of RSF 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, RSF or VTI?
RSF has an expense ratio of 5.25% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $522 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RSF or VTI?
Over the past year RSF returned +9.62% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (10 years), RSF annualized +0.12% vs +13.89% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RSF or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 16.0% annualized versus 8.6% for RSF. Worst drawdown: RSF -44.2% vs VTI -35.0%.
Should I hold both RSF and VTI?
RSF and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.32, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, RSF or VTI?
RSF yields 9.12% while VTI yields 1.03%, so RSF currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than RSF?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI 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.