RFI vs. NIE

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

RFI (Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund) and NIE (Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund) are both mutual funds - RFI is a REIT fund managed by Cohen & Steers, while NIE is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by Virtus. Over the past 10 years, RFI returned 6.68%/yr vs 14.12%/yr for NIE. At a 0.46 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

RFI vs. NIE - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RFI achieves a 6.94% return, which is significantly lower than NIE's 8.90% return. Over the past 10 years, RFI has underperformed NIE with an annualized return of 6.68%, while NIE has yielded a comparatively higher 14.12% annualized return.

RFI

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 0.01%
• YTD: 6.94%
• 6M: 7.82%
• 1Y: 2.60%
• 3Y*: 8.33%
• 5Y*: 0.51%
• 10Y*: 6.68%

NIE

• 1D: 0.53%
• 1M: -0.78%
• YTD: 8.90%
• 6M: 10.96%
• 1Y: 24.35%
• 3Y*: 19.17%
• 5Y*: 10.22%
• 10Y*: 14.12%

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

RFI vs. NIE - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RFI Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund	6.94%	3.55%	6.63%	4.36%	-22.13%	39.21%	-0.79%	44.46%	-8.89%	13.91%
NIE Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund	8.90%	12.15%	28.64%	26.71%	-26.73%	18.89%	33.78%	31.09%	-5.69%	23.68%

Correlation

The correlation between RFI and NIE is 0.27, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.27
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.39
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 23, 2007	0.46

The correlation between RFI and NIE shifts across timeframes, from 0.27 (1 year) to 0.46 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

RFI vs. NIE — Risk / Return Rank

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

RFI

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

NIE

NIE Risk / Return Rank: 71
NIE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
NIE Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
NIE Omega Ratio Rank: 68
NIE Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
NIE Martin Ratio Rank: 73

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. NIE - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund (RFI) and Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund (NIE). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	RFI	NIE	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.22	2.06	-1.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.38	2.89	-2.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.37	-0.32
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.27	2.72	-2.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.63	11.23	-10.59

RFI vs. NIE - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFI Sharpe Ratio is 0.22, which is lower than the NIE Sharpe Ratio of 2.06. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFI and NIE, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

RFI vs. NIE - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFI drawdown since its inception was -73.67%, which is greater than NIE's maximum drawdown of -57.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFI and NIE.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFI	NIE	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.67%	-57.90%	-15.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.69%	-8.99%	-0.70%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.93%	-20.79%	+3.86%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.38%	-31.04%	-3.34%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.51%	-38.99%	-11.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.37%	-1.95%	-2.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.10%	-8.00%	-4.10%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.12%	2.18%	+1.94%

Volatility

RFI vs. NIE - Volatility Comparison

Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund (RFI) and Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund (NIE) have volatilities of 4.31% and 4.42%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	RFI	NIE	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.31%	4.42%	-0.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.82%	9.60%	+0.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.09%	11.89%	+0.20%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.27%	17.59%	+2.68%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.16%	19.78%	+5.38%

Dividends

RFI vs. NIE - Dividend Comparison

RFI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.47%, more than NIE's 7.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NIE Virtus Equity & Convertible Income Fund	7.62%	10.14%	8.11%	9.56%	21.81%	10.86%	5.37%	6.71%	8.20%	7.19%	8.25%	8.46%
RFI Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund	8.47%	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 NIE in my portfolio?

RFI and NIE have a correlation of 0.27, 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 NIE?

NIE has higher volatility (4.42%) compared to RFI (4.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFI dropped -73.67% vs NIE's -57.90%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NIE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.06 vs 0.22), 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.