REFA vs VYM
Columbia Research Enhanced International Equity ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, REFA or VYM?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. REFA is less concentrated, with 25.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%.
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 | REFA | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $6M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.03% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 211 | 613 |
| YTD Return | +12.85%Best | +12.29% |
| 1Y Return | - | +16.61% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +17.42% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.12% |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.4%Best | 26.1% |
| Fund Family | Columbia Threadneedle Investments | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Dec 11, 2025 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window.
REFA 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 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.
REFA vs VYM Performance
Columbia Research Enhanced International Equity ETF (REFA) is an ETF from Columbia Threadneedle Investments and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, REFA is up 12.85% versus a gain of 12.29% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
REFA charges 0.32% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $32 vs $4 annually, a gap of $28 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, REFA currently yields 0.03% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
0.1% of VYM's money is in holdings REFA also owns.
We cannot see either book well enough to say how much of this pair is duplicated.
1 positions in common, counted across the 211 positions we hold weights for in REFA and 557 in VYM, against full books of 211 and 613.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 527 positions for VYM that do not appear in our book for REFA (96.9% of the fund), and 2 for REFA that do not appear in VYM (0.5%).
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 REFA | Weight in VYM | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRKroger Co. | 0.00% | 0.13% | 0.13% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of REFA and VYM 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, REFA or VYM?
REFA has an expense ratio of 0.32% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $28 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, REFA or VYM?
REFA yields 0.03% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than REFA?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. REFA is less concentrated, with 25.4% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 26.1%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.