RECS vs VYM
Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, RECS or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RECS led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% 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 | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.15% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $6.0B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 368 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +10.40% | +12.29%Best |
| 1Y Return | +15.95% | +16.61%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.68%Best | +17.42% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +13.62%Best | +12.12% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.2% | 14.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -34.3%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,935Best | $17,718 |
| Top 10 Weight | 41.2% | 26.1%Best |
| Fund Family | Columbia Threadneedle Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 25, 2019 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 25, 2019 to Sep 17, 2026 (19.8 years).
RECS vs VYM 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
RECS vs VYM Performance
Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF (RECS) is an ETF from Columbia Threadneedle Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RECS returned +15.95% while VYM returned +16.61%. Year to date, RECS is up 10.40% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Over three years, RECS compounded at +21.68% per year against +17.42% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are +13.62% and +12.12% respectively. Across the full 7-year window we track, RECS has the edge at +16.60% annualized vs +6.87%.
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 14.6% for VYM. 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 -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.86. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RECS charges 0.15% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $15 vs $4 annually, a gap of $11 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RECS currently yields 1.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
37.0% of RECS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 28.7% of VYM's money is in holdings RECS also owns.
The two portfolios partly overlap.
154 positions in common, counted across the 349 positions we hold weights for in RECS and 557 in VYM, against full books of 368 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 377 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for RECS (69.0% of the fund), and 183 for RECS that do not appear in VYM (61.3%).
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 VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| BACBank of America Corp.: Financials | 2.03% | 1.66% | 0.37% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 1.58% | 1.48% | 0.10% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc. - Ordinary Shares | 1.03% | 1.86% | 0.83% |
| ABBVAbbvie Inc. | 0.64% | 1.80% | 1.16% |
| CCitigroup Inc. | 1.10% | 0.89% | 0.21% |
| MOAltria Group Inc | 1.24% | 0.46% | 0.78% |
| BMYBristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 1.15% | 0.54% | 0.61% |
| SBUXStarbucks Corp | 1.05% | 0.49% | 0.56% |
| CVSCvs Corp | 0.99% | 0.54% | 0.45% |
| NEENextera Energy Inc | 0.62% | 0.74% | 0.12% |
37.0% of RECS is already inside VYM.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, RECS or VYM?
RECS has an expense ratio of 0.15% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $11 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RECS or VYM?
Over the past year RECS returned +15.95% vs +16.61% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (7 years), RECS annualized +16.60% vs +6.87% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RECS or VYM?
RECS has been the more volatile fund at 16.2% annualized versus 14.6% for VYM. Worst drawdown: RECS -34.3% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both RECS and VYM?
RECS and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.86, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between RECS and VYM?
37.0% of RECS's money is in holdings VYM also owns. 28.7% of VYM's is in holdings RECS also owns. They hold 154 positions in common, counted across the 349 positions we hold weights for in RECS and 557 in VYM.
Which pays a higher dividend, RECS or VYM?
RECS yields 1.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than RECS?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. RECS led over 3Y, 5Y and the full window, VYM over 1Y. VYM is less concentrated, with 26.1% 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.