RFI vs. NRO

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

RFI (Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund) and NRO (Neuberger Berman Real Estate Securities Income Fund) are both REIT funds. Over the past 10 years, RFI returned 6.68%/yr vs 4.98%/yr for NRO. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

RFI vs. NRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund (RFI) and Neuberger Berman Real Estate Securities Income Fund (NRO). 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 higher than NRO's 3.57% return. Over the past 10 years, RFI has outperformed NRO with an annualized return of 6.68%, while NRO has yielded a comparatively lower 4.98% 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%

NRO

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -0.29%
• YTD: 3.57%
• 6M: 7.51%
• 1Y: 4.11%
• 3Y*: 13.87%
• 5Y*: 0.76%
• 10Y*: 4.98%

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

RFI vs. NRO - 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%
NRO Neuberger Berman Real Estate Securities Income Fund	3.57%	0.85%	23.87%	15.24%	-35.04%	29.26%	-10.88%	47.57%	-16.37%	13.29%

Correlation

The correlation between RFI and NRO is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.67
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.67
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 29, 2003	0.59

The correlation between RFI and NRO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.67 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

RFI vs. NRO — 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

NRO

NRO Risk / Return Rank: 6
NRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
NRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 5
NRO Omega Ratio Rank: 5
NRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 6
NRO 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. NRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund (RFI) and Neuberger Berman Real Estate Securities Income Fund (NRO). 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	NRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.22	0.30	-0.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.38	0.51	-0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.05	1.06	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.27	0.36	-0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.63	0.96	-0.32

RFI vs. NRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RFI Sharpe Ratio is 0.22, which is comparable to the NRO Sharpe Ratio of 0.30. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RFI and NRO, 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. NRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RFI drawdown since its inception was -73.67%, smaller than the maximum NRO drawdown of -92.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFI and NRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	RFI	NRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-73.67%	-92.91%	+19.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.69%	-11.61%	+1.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.93%	-24.78%	+7.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-34.38%	-42.35%	+7.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-50.51%	-62.59%	+12.08%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.37%	-8.20%	+3.83%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.10%	-27.18%	+15.08%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.12%	4.31%	-0.19%

Volatility

RFI vs. NRO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund (RFI) is 4.31%, while Neuberger Berman Real Estate Securities Income Fund (NRO) has a volatility of 4.92%. This indicates that RFI experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NRO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RFI	NRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.31%	4.92%	-0.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.82%	10.67%	-0.85%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.09%	13.88%	-1.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.27%	21.61%	-1.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.16%	26.36%	-1.20%

Dividends

RFI vs. NRO - Dividend Comparison

RFI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.47%, less than NRO's 12.52% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NRO Neuberger Berman Real Estate Securities Income Fund	12.52%	12.27%	10.55%	11.74%	11.96%	7.10%	10.88%	8.60%	12.77%	9.31%	7.64%	7.19%
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 NRO in my portfolio?

RFI and NRO have a correlation of 0.60, 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 NRO?

NRO has higher volatility (4.92%) compared to RFI (4.31%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFI dropped -73.67% vs NRO's -92.91%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.30 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.