CEFZ vs JRI
RiverNorth Active Income ETF vs Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund
Which is better, CEFZ or JRI?
CEFZ has been ahead.
CEFZ has a lower expense ratio. CEFZ led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | CEFZ | JRI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.82%Best | 3.97% |
| AUM | $40M | $442M |
| Dividend Yield | 10.37% | 13.27% |
| Holdings | 92 | 413 |
| YTD Return | -5.41%Best | -16.19% |
| 1Y Return | -3.36%Best | -16.30% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.67% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +2.11% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 9.7%Best | 16.1% |
| Max Drawdown | -8.3%Best | -21.8% |
| $10,000 over 1.2 years | $10,121Best | $9,073 |
| Fund Family | RiverNorth | Nuveen |
| Category | Allocation/Balanced | Allocation/Balanced |
| Style | Allocation/Balanced | Allocation/Balanced |
| Inception | Dec 27, 2006 | Apr 25, 2012 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.2 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 4, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.2 years).
CEFZ vs JRI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.2 years both funds cover.
CEFZ vs JRI Performance
RiverNorth Active Income ETF (CEFZ) is an ETF from RiverNorth and Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund (JRI) is an ETF from Nuveen. Over the past year CEFZ returned -3.36% while JRI returned -16.30%. Year to date, CEFZ is down 5.41% versus a loss of 16.19% for JRI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
JRI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.1% compared with 9.7% for CEFZ. 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 -8.3% for CEFZ and -21.8% for JRI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CEFZ charges 2.82% per year while JRI charges 3.97%. On a $10,000 position that is $282 vs $397 annually, a gap of $115 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CEFZ currently yields 10.37% against 13.27% for JRI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 45 holdings in CEFZ and 330 in JRI, totalling 99.8% and 83.4% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 45 positions we hold weights for in CEFZ and 330 in JRI, against full books of 92 and 413.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CEFZ and JRI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, CEFZ or JRI?
CEFZ has an expense ratio of 2.82% while JRI charges 3.97%. CEFZ is the cheaper option, by $115 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CEFZ or JRI?
Over the past year CEFZ returned -3.36% vs -16.30% for JRI, so CEFZ leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), CEFZ annualized +1.01% vs -7.79% for JRI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CEFZ or JRI?
JRI has been the more volatile fund at 16.1% annualized versus 9.7% for CEFZ. Worst drawdown: CEFZ -8.3% vs JRI -21.8%.
Should I hold both CEFZ and JRI?
CEFZ and JRI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, CEFZ or JRI?
CEFZ yields 10.37% while JRI yields 13.27%, so JRI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is JRI better than CEFZ?
CEFZ has a lower expense ratio. CEFZ led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.