RFI vs. VGSNX
RFI (Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund) and VGSNX (Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both REIT funds. Over the past 10 years, RFI returned 6.79%/yr vs 5.20%/yr for VGSNX. A 0.64 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.
Performance
RFI vs. VGSNX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, RFI achieves a 5.53% return, which is significantly lower than VGSNX's 7.79% return. Over the past 10 years, RFI has outperformed VGSNX with an annualized return of 6.79%, while VGSNX has yielded a comparatively lower 5.20% 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%
VGSNX
- 1D
- -0.14%
- 1M
- -1.43%
- YTD
- 7.79%
- 6M
- 6.96%
- 1Y
- 9.66%
- 3Y*
- 9.14%
- 5Y*
- 2.19%
- 10Y*
- 5.20%
RFI vs. VGSNX - 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% |
VGSNX Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares | 7.79% | 3.21% | 3.72% | 13.12% | -26.19% | 40.46% | -4.76% | 28.98% | -5.97% | 4.90% |
Correlation
The correlation between RFI and VGSNX is 0.78, 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 | 0.78 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.77 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.68 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2003 | 0.64 |
The correlation between RFI and VGSNX shifts across timeframes, from 0.64 (all time) to 0.78 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
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Return for Risk
RFI vs. VGSNX — Risk / Return Rank
RFI
VGSNX
RFI vs. VGSNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund (RFI) and Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares (VGSNX). 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 | VGSNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.69 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.94 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.02 | 1.14 | -0.12 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.09 | 1.20 | -1.12 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.20 | 3.79 | -3.58 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| RFI | VGSNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.07 | 0.76 | -0.69 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.06 | 0.12 | -0.05 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.27 | 0.25 | +0.02 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.33 | 0.28 | +0.06 |
Drawdowns
RFI vs. VGSNX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum RFI drawdown since its inception was -73.67%, roughly equal to the maximum VGSNX drawdown of -73.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RFI and VGSNX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| RFI | VGSNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -73.67% | -73.06% | -0.61% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -9.69% | -8.34% | -1.35% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -16.93% | -17.41% | +0.48% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -34.38% | -34.39% | +0.01% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -50.51% | -42.30% | -8.21% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -5.64% | -3.66% | -1.98% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -12.11% | -13.29% | +1.18% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.09% | 2.65% | +1.44% |
Volatility
RFI vs. VGSNX - Volatility Comparison
Cohen & Steers Total Return Realty Fund (RFI) has a higher volatility of 4.27% compared to Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares (VGSNX) at 3.70%. This indicates that RFI's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VGSNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| RFI | VGSNX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 4.27% | 3.70% | +0.57% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 9.65% | 9.24% | +0.41% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 11.96% | 13.16% | -1.20% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 20.29% | 18.87% | +1.42% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 25.15% | 20.90% | +4.25% |
Dividends
RFI vs. VGSNX - Dividend Comparison
RFI's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 8.53%, more than VGSNX's 3.71% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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% |
VGSNX Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Institutional Shares | 3.71% | 3.94% | 3.87% | 3.93% | 3.94% | 2.57% | 3.95% | 3.40% | 4.75% | 4.26% | 4.84% | 3.94% |
Frequently Asked Questions
RFI and VGSNX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
RFI has higher volatility (4.27%) compared to VGSNX (3.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RFI dropped -73.67% vs VGSNX's -73.06%.
VGSNX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.76 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.
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