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ICF vs. REIT
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ICF vs. REIT

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ICF (iShares Cohen & Steers REIT ETF) and REIT (ALPS Active REIT ETF) are both REIT funds. ICF is passively managed, while REIT is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, ICF returned 3.01%/yr vs 4.37%/yr for REIT. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ICF charges 0.34%/yr vs 0.68%/yr for REIT.

Performance

ICF vs. REIT - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Cohen & Steers REIT ETF (ICF) and ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ICF achieves a 12.19% return, which is significantly lower than REIT's 12.80% return.

ICF

1D
0.17%
1M
-0.92%
YTD
12.19%
6M
11.56%
1Y
11.29%
3Y*
10.12%
5Y*
3.01%
10Y*
5.54%

REIT

1D
0.05%
1M
0.26%
YTD
12.80%
6M
12.21%
1Y
13.48%
3Y*
10.38%
5Y*
4.37%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ICF vs. REIT - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021
ICF
iShares Cohen & Steers REIT ETF		12.19%1.85%5.30%10.36%-26.12%41.93%
REIT
ALPS Active REIT ETF		12.80%-0.55%7.11%13.74%-21.23%33.56%

Correlation

The correlation between ICF and REIT is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.93

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.94

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.94

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 1, 2021

0.93

The correlation between ICF and REIT has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.93 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

ICF vs. REIT - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ICF
REIT

Real Estate

100.0%
100.0%

Basic Materials

-

-

Communication Services

-

-

Consumer Cyclical

-

-

Consumer Defensive

-

-

Energy

-

-

Financial Services

-

-

Healthcare

-

-

Industrials

-

-

Technology

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Real Estate

ICF
100.0%
REIT
100.0%

Basic Materials

ICF

-

REIT

-

Communication Services

ICF

-

REIT

-

Consumer Cyclical

ICF

-

REIT

-

Consumer Defensive

ICF

-

REIT

-

Energy

ICF

-

REIT

-

Financial Services

ICF

-

REIT

-

Healthcare

ICF

-

REIT

-

Industrials

ICF

-

REIT

-

Technology

ICF

-

REIT

-

Utilities

ICF

-

REIT

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares Cohen & Steers REIT ETF

ALPS Active REIT ETF

Often compared with ICF:
ICF vs. VNQICF vs. USRTICF vs. IYRICF vs. FRELICF vs. ICFIICF vs. SDIVICF vs. XLRE
Often compared with REIT:
REIT vs. VOOREIT vs. VTIREIT vs. SGOVREIT vs. IHGREIT vs. VRAIREIT vs. VGTREIT vs. SCHG

Return for Risk

ICF vs. REIT — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ICF
ICF Risk / Return Rank: 2525
Overall Rank
ICF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2323
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ICF Sortino Ratio Rank: 2222
Sortino Ratio Rank
ICF Omega Ratio Rank: 2222
Omega Ratio Rank
ICF Calmar Ratio Rank: 2828
Calmar Ratio Rank
ICF Martin Ratio Rank: 2828
Martin Ratio Rank
REIT
REIT Risk / Return Rank: 3131
Overall Rank
REIT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2929
Sharpe Ratio Rank
REIT Sortino Ratio Rank: 2727
Sortino Ratio Rank
REIT Omega Ratio Rank: 2727
Omega Ratio Rank
REIT Calmar Ratio Rank: 3737
Calmar Ratio Rank
REIT Martin Ratio Rank: 3535
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

ICF vs. REIT - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Cohen & Steers REIT ETF (ICF) and ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

ICFREITDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.84
1.06

-0.22

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.20
1.46

-0.26

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.15

1.19

-0.04

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.38

1.84

-0.46

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.92

5.33

-1.41

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ICF vs. REIT - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ICF Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is comparable to the REIT Sharpe Ratio of 1.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ICF and REIT, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

ICFREITDifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.84

1.06

-0.22

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.16

0.24

-0.08

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.27

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.31

0.39

-0.08

Drawdowns

ICF vs. REIT - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ICF drawdown since its inception was -76.74%, which is greater than REIT's maximum drawdown of -29.30%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ICF and REIT.

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Drawdown Indicators

ICFREITDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-76.74%

-29.30%

-47.44%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.20%

-7.35%

-0.85%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.25%

-18.19%

+0.94%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-34.74%

-29.30%

-5.44%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-40.22%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.67%

-2.65%

-0.02%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-14.18%

-10.38%

-3.80%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.88%

2.53%

+0.35%

Volatility

ICF vs. REIT - Volatility Comparison

iShares Cohen & Steers REIT ETF (ICF) and ALPS Active REIT ETF (REIT) have volatilities of 3.71% and 3.80%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ICFREITDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.71%

3.80%

-0.09%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.85%

9.01%

+0.84%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.57%

12.78%

+0.79%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

18.91%

18.45%

+0.46%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.58%

18.38%

+2.20%

ICF vs. REIT - Expense Ratio Comparison

ICF has a 0.34% expense ratio, which is lower than REIT's 0.68% expense ratio.

Dividends

ICF vs. REIT - Dividend Comparison

ICF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.48%, less than REIT's 2.80% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
ICF
iShares Cohen & Steers REIT ETF		2.48%2.88%2.66%2.76%2.64%1.82%2.38%2.55%3.20%3.10%4.21%3.30%
REIT
ALPS Active REIT ETF		2.80%3.20%3.06%3.13%2.81%4.71%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.93, ICF and REIT move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

REIT has higher volatility (3.80%) compared to ICF (3.71%). In terms of maximum drawdown, ICF dropped -76.74% vs REIT's -29.30%.

On 5-year performance, REIT leads with 4.37% vs 3.01% for ICF. On fees, ICF is cheaper at 0.34% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Over the 5-year period, REIT has performed better with a 4.37% return vs 3.01%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

ICF is cheaper with a 0.34% expense ratio, compared with 0.68% for REIT.

REIT has the higher dividend yield at 2.80%, compared with 2.48% for ICF.

They also come from different issuers: iShares and ALPS. Their fees differ too: 0.34% for ICF and 0.68% for REIT.

REIT currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.06 vs 0.84), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.

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