RECS vs VTI
Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, RECS or VTI?
Nearly the same fund. VTI costs less.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. RECS led over 3Y and 5Y, VTI over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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 | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $6.0B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.00% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 368 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +9.35% | +11.06%Best |
| 1Y Return | +14.73% | +15.41%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.32%Best | +20.48% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.19%Best | +11.52% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.5% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.3%Best | -56.6% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,580Best | $17,249 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.2% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | Columbia Threadneedle Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 25, 2019 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 15, 2001 to Sep 16, 2026 (25.1 years).
RECS vs VTI 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 25.1 years both funds cover.
RECS vs VTI Performance
Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF (RECS) is an ETF from Columbia Threadneedle Investments and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RECS returned +14.73% while VTI returned +15.41%. Year to date, RECS is up 9.35% versus a gain of 11.06% for VTI.
Over three years, RECS compounded at +21.32% per year against +20.48% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +13.19% and +11.52% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.32% annualized vs +3.95%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RECS has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.5% compared with 15.3% for VTI. 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 -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.95. 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 VTI 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 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
94.5% of RECS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 34.7% of VTI's money is in holdings RECS also owns.
Most of RECS is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
335 positions in common, counted across the 349 positions we hold weights for in RECS and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 368 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 836 positions for VTI that do not appear in our book for RECS (62.9% of the fund), and 6 for RECS that do not appear in VTI (3.7%).
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 VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NVDANvidia Corp | 12.00% | 6.40% | 5.60% |
| AAPLApple, Inc | 11.74% | 6.29% | 5.45% |
| METAMeta Platforms Inc | 4.63% | 1.70% | 2.93% |
| MUMicron Technology, Inc. | 2.19% | 1.29% | 0.90% |
| MAMastercard Inc | 2.42% | 0.63% | 1.79% |
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 2.03% | 0.55% | 1.48% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.58% | 0.52% | 1.06% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.03% | 0.57% | 0.46% |
| TJXTjx Cos Inc | 1.32% | 0.24% | 1.08% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 1.10% | 0.30% | 0.80% |
94.5% of RECS is already inside VTI.
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 VTI?
RECS has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $12 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RECS or VTI?
Over the past year RECS returned +14.73% vs +15.41% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), RECS annualized +3.95% vs +8.32% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RECS or VTI?
RECS has been the more volatile fund at 16.5% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: RECS -34.3% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both RECS and VTI?
RECS and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.95, 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 VTI?
94.5% of RECS's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 34.7% of VTI's is in holdings RECS also owns. They hold 335 positions in common, counted across the 349 positions we hold weights for in RECS and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, RECS or VTI?
RECS yields 1.00% while VTI yields 1.03%, so VTI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than RECS?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. RECS led over 3Y and 5Y, VTI over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.95. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% 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.