RLTY vs SPY

Quick Verdict

SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. SPY offers more diversification with 503 holdings.

Lower Fees: SPYHigher Returns: SPYMore Diversified: SPY

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRLTYSPYWinner
Expense Ratio1.19%0.09%
AUM$260M$789.1B
Dividend Yield7.57%1.01%
Holdings232505
YTD Return+13.92%+9.93%
1Y Return+13.40%+19.50%
3Y Return (annualized)+12.57%+19.33%
5Y Return (annualized)-+12.82%
Volatility (annualized)23.5%15.3%
Max Drawdown-35.4%-56.5%
Fund FamilyCohen & Steers FundsState Street Investment Management
CategoryAllocation/BalancedEquity
InceptionFeb 24, 2022Jan 22, 1993

RLTY vs SPY Performance

Cohen & Steers Real Estate Opportunities and Income Fund (RLTY) is a ETF from Cohen & Steers Funds and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year RLTY returned +13.40% while SPY returned +19.50%. Year to date, RLTY is up 13.92% versus a gain of 9.93% for SPY.

Over three years, RLTY compounded at +12.57% per year against +19.33% for SPY. Across the full 4-year window we track, SPY has the edge at +8.74% annualized vs +3.69%. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns

RLTY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 23.5% compared with 15.3% for SPY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.

The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -35.4% for RLTY and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.

The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.68. They move independently enough that combining them can meaningfully diversify a portfolio.

Fees and Cost Over Time

RLTY charges 1.19% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $119 vs $9 annually, a gap of $110 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RLTY currently yields 7.57% against 1.01% for SPY.

Holdings Overlap

1.7%overlap

RLTY and SPY share 18 holdings out of 654 unique holdings combined, representing a 1.7% weight overlap.

Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.

Top Shared Holdings

StockWeight in RLTYWeight in SPYDifference
WELL15.93%0.25%15.68%
DLR10.68%0.09%10.59%
CCI8.88%0.05%8.83%
AMTProProPro
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EQIXProProPro
EXRProProPro
IRMProProPro
HSTProProPro
PSAProProPro
See all 10 holdings RLTY shares with SPY
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, RLTY or SPY?

RLTY has an expense ratio of 1.19% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $110 per year of difference.

Which performed better, RLTY or SPY?

Over the past year RLTY returned +13.40% vs +19.50% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (4 years), RLTY annualized +3.69% vs +8.74% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Which is riskier, RLTY or SPY?

RLTY has been the more volatile fund at 23.5% annualized versus 15.3% for SPY. Worst drawdown: RLTY -35.4% vs SPY -56.5%.

Should I hold both RLTY and SPY?

RLTY and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.

What is the holdings overlap between RLTY and SPY?

RLTY and SPY share 18 common holdings with a 1.7% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 654 unique securities.

Which pays a higher dividend, RLTY or SPY?

RLTY yields 7.57% while SPY yields 1.01%, so RLTY currently pays the higher dividend yield.

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