RECS vs VOO
Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, RECS or VOO?
Nearly the same fund. VOO costs less.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. RECS led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VOO over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.2%.
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 | RECS | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $6.0B | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.00% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 368 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +10.13% | +12.37%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.91% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.57%Best | +21.37% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.96%Best | +13.49% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.2% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.3%Tie | -34.3%Tie |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $19,220Best | $18,827 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.2% | 37.6%Best |
| Fund Family | Columbia Threadneedle Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 25, 2019 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 25, 2019 to Sep 18, 2026 (16 years).
RECS vs VOO 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 16 years both funds cover.
RECS vs VOO Performance
Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF (RECS) is an ETF from Columbia Threadneedle Investments and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RECS returned +14.91% while VOO returned +16.61%. Year to date, RECS is up 10.13% versus a gain of 12.37% for VOO.
Over three years, RECS compounded at +21.57% per year against +21.37% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are +13.96% and +13.49% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, RECS has the edge at +16.55% annualized vs +13.39%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RECS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.2% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -34.3% for RECS and -34.3% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.96. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RECS charges 0.15% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $3 annually, a gap of $12 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RECS currently yields 1.00% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
85.7% of RECS's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 36.7% of VOO's money is in holdings RECS also owns.
Most of RECS is already inside VOO. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
169 positions in common, counted across the 349 positions we hold weights for in RECS and 494 in VOO, against full books of 368 and 509.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 319 positions for VOO that do not appear in our book for RECS (62.5% of the fund), and 167 for RECS that do not appear in VOO (12.3%).
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.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RECS | Weight in VOO | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 12.00% | 7.55% | 4.45% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 11.74% | 7.05% | 4.69% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 4.63% | 1.90% | 2.73% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.19% | 1.44% | 0.75% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.42% | 0.72% | 1.70% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 2.03% | 0.63% | 1.40% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.58% | 0.57% | 1.01% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.03% | 0.71% | 0.32% |
| TJXTjx Cos Inc | 1.32% | 0.27% | 1.05% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 1.10% | 0.34% | 0.76% |
85.7% of RECS is already inside VOO.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, RECS or VOO?
RECS has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RECS or VOO?
Over the past year RECS returned +14.91% vs +16.61% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), RECS annualized +16.55% vs +13.39% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RECS or VOO?
RECS has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: RECS -34.3% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both RECS and VOO?
RECS and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.96, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between RECS and VOO?
85.7% of RECS's money is in holdings VOO also owns. 36.7% of VOO's is in holdings RECS also owns. They hold 169 positions in common, counted across the 349 positions we hold weights for in RECS and 494 in VOO.
Which pays a higher dividend, RECS or VOO?
RECS yields 1.00% while VOO yields 1.04%, so VOO currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than RECS?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. RECS led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VOO over 1Y. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.96. VOO is less concentrated, with 37.6% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 41.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.