RFI vs. IRFIX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

RFI (Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund) and IRFIX (Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund) are both REIT funds from Cohen & Steers. Over the past 10 years, RFI returned 6.79%/yr vs 2.51%/yr for IRFIX. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

RFI vs. IRFIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund (RFI) and Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund (IRFIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFI achieves a 5.53% return, which is significantly higher than IRFIX's -1.53% return. Over the past 10 years, RFI has outperformed IRFIX with an annualized return of 6.79%, while IRFIX has yielded a comparatively lower 2.51% annualized return.

RFI

• 1D: 1.08%
• 1M: -2.26%
• YTD: 5.53%
• 6M: 4.87%
• 1Y: 0.82%
• 3Y*: 8.74%
• 5Y*: 1.26%
• 10Y*: 6.79%

IRFIX

• 1D: -0.99%
• 1M: -4.76%
• YTD: -1.53%
• 6M: 0.49%
• 1Y: 5.65%
• 3Y*: 4.99%
• 5Y*: -3.47%
• 10Y*: 2.51%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

RFI vs. IRFIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RFI Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund	5.53%	3.55%	6.63%	4.36%	-22.13%	39.21%	-0.79%	44.46%	-8.89%	13.91%
IRFIX Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund	-1.53%	23.52%	-10.56%	4.58%	-23.84%	7.66%	-0.81%	23.74%	-3.74%	23.38%

Correlation

The correlation between RFI and IRFIX is 0.44, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.44
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.46
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.46
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 1, 2005	0.43

Return for Risk

RFI vs. IRFIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

RFI

RFI Risk / Return Rank: 3
RFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3
RFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 3
RFI Omega Ratio Rank: 3
RFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 3
RFI Martin Ratio Rank: 3

IRFIX

IRFIX Risk / Return Rank: 6
IRFIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
IRFIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6
IRFIX Omega Ratio Rank: 6
IRFIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 5
IRFIX Martin Ratio Rank: 6

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.

RFI vs. IRFIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund (RFI) and Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund (IRFIX). 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.

	RFI	IRFIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.07	0.47	-0.40
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.18	0.77	-0.59
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	1.09	-0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.09	0.41	-0.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.20	1.26	-1.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RFI vs. IRFIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFI Sharpe Ratio is 0.07, which is lower than the IRFIX Sharpe Ratio of 0.47. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFI and IRFIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	RFI	IRFIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.07	0.47	-0.40
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.06	-0.23	+0.29
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27	0.16	+0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.33	0.18	+0.15

Drawdowns

RFI vs. IRFIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFI drawdown since its inception was -73.67%, which is greater than IRFIX's maximum drawdown of -70.13%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFI and IRFIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFI	IRFIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.67%	-70.13%	-3.54%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.69%	-14.85%	+5.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.93%	-21.06%	+4.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.38%	-38.41%	+4.03%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.51%	-39.51%	-11.00%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.64%	-17.98%	+12.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.11%	-18.65%	+6.54%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.09%	4.77%	-0.68%

Volatility

RFI vs. IRFIX - Volatility Comparison

Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund (RFI) has a higher volatility of 4.27% compared to Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund (IRFIX) at 3.95%. This indicates that RFI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IRFIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFI	IRFIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.27%	3.95%	+0.32%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.65%	10.78%	-1.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.96%	12.98%	-1.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.29%	15.33%	+4.96%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.15%	15.68%	+9.47%

Dividends

RFI vs. IRFIX - Dividend Comparison

RFI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.53%, more than IRFIX's 6.27% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IRFIX Cohen & Steers International Realty Fund	6.27%	6.17%	3.24%	2.62%	2.62%	7.70%	3.40%	9.81%	4.19%	3.37%	6.46%	3.36%
RFI Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund	8.53%	8.69%	8.29%	8.17%	10.02%	6.82%	7.61%	6.63%	8.93%	7.52%	7.93%	10.36%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RFI and IRFIX in my portfolio?

RFI and IRFIX have a correlation of 0.44, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RFI or IRFIX?

RFI has higher volatility (4.27%) compared to IRFIX (3.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFI dropped -73.67% vs IRFIX's -70.13%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IRFIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.47 vs 0.07), 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.