A side-by-side comparison of CI Canadian REIT ETF (RIT) and Vanguard FTSE Canadian Capped REIT Index ETF (VRE) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
CIBC Investor's Edge
Transfer your investments to CIBC Investor's Edge and get rewarded with an offer of up to $3,000.
- ✓$6.95 flat-rate commissions
- ✓Backed by Big Five bank security
- ✓Transfer bonus offer up to $3,000
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | RIT | VRE |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +8.60%✓ | +1.40% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.44% | +0.81%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +0.06%✓ | -1.00% |
| 1-Month Change | +2.36%✓ | +1.18% |
| Current Price | $18.19 | $32.52 |
| AUM | $432M✓ | $288M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 4.56%✓ | 3.06% |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2004-11-15 | 2012-11-02 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★ |
| Category | Real Estate Equity | Real Estate Equity |
| Beta | 0.87 | 0.92 |
| 52-Week High | $18.32 | $34.99 |
| 52-Week Low | $15.75 | $29.75 |
| 50-Day MA | $17.80 | $32.31 |
| 200-Day MA | $17.23 | $32.79 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | RIT | VRE |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +8.60%✓ | +1.40% |
| 1 Year | +12.98%✓ | +5.68% |
| 3 Year | +9.61%✓ | +7.09% |
| 5 Year | +3.99%✓ | +1.82% |
| 10 Year | +6.98%✓ | +4.78% |
| 1Y Volatility | 10.61% | 11.46% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.42 | 0.23 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | REI-UN | RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust | 7.25% |
| 2 | GRT-UN | Granite Real Estate Investment Trust | 6.92% |
| 3 | DIR-UN | Dream Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust | 6.82% |
| 4 | FCR-UN | First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.80% |
| 5 | CSH-UN | Chartwell Retirement Residences | 5.72% |
| 6 | CRR-UN | Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.49% |
| 7 | BEI-UN | Boardwalk Real Estate Investment Trust | 4.91% |
| 8 | HR-UN | H&R Real Estate Investment Trust | 4.83% |
| 9 | PMZ-UN | Primaris Retail R.E. Invest. Tr. Units | 4.75% |
| 10 | KMP-UN | Killam Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust | 4.65% |
| 1 | FSV | FirstService Corp | 10.41% |
| 2 | REI-UN | RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust | 8.97% |
| 3 | CSH-UN | Chartwell Retirement Residences | 8.79% |
| 4 | GRT-UN | Granite Real Estate Investment Trust | 8.02% |
| 5 | CIGI | Colliers International Group Inc Bats | 7.82% |
| 6 | CAR-UN | Canadian Apartment Properties Real Estate Investment Trust | 7.44% |
| 7 | FCR-UN | First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust | 6.87% |
| 8 | CHP-UN | Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust | 6.01% |
| 9 | DIR-UN | Dream Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.51% |
| 10 | SRU-UN | SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.15% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | RIT | VRE |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 3.69% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 96.31% | 100.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About RIT
CI Canadian REIT ETF (RIT.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About VRE
Vanguard FTSE Canadian Capped REIT Index ETF (VRE.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both RIT and VRE are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, RIT scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between RIT and VRE?
RIT (CI Canadian REIT ETF) and VRE (Vanguard FTSE Canadian Capped REIT Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($432M vs $288M), dividend yield (4.56% vs 3.06%), and year-to-date performance (+8.60% vs +1.40%).
Is RIT better than VRE?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, RIT has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy RIT and VRE on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both RIT and VRE should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
7 stocks to buy and hold forever
Complement your ETF portfolio with these proven long-term individual stocks.
Get the FREE Report