IVV vs REFA
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs Columbia Research Enhanced International Equity ETF
Which is better, IVV or REFA?
IVV costs less.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. REFA is less concentrated, with 24.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%.
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 | IVV | REFA |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 0.32% |
| AUM | $876.4B | $6M |
| Dividend Yield | 1.06% | 0.03% |
| Holdings | 508 | 211 |
| YTD Return | +11.57% | +11.94%Best |
| 1Y Return | +17.57% | - |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +20.71% | - |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.80% | - |
| Top 10 Weight | 37.9% | 24.9%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Columbia Threadneedle Investments |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Dec 11, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
IVV vs REFA 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
IVV vs REFA Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Columbia Research Enhanced International Equity ETF (REFA) is an ETF from Columbia Threadneedle Investments. Year to date, IVV is up 11.57% versus a gain of 11.94% for REFA.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while REFA charges 0.32%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $32 annually, a gap of $29 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.06% against 0.03% for REFA.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 505 holdings in IVV and 210 in REFA, totalling 100.0% and 99.3% 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 505 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 210 in REFA, against full books of 508 and 211.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 2 positions for REFA that do not appear in our book for IVV (0.9% of the fund), and 495 for IVV that do not appear in REFA (99.3%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and REFA 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, IVV or REFA?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while REFA charges 0.32%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $29 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or REFA?
IVV yields 1.06% while REFA yields 0.03%, so IVV currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is REFA better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. REFA is less concentrated, with 24.9% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 37.9%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.