Columbia Research Enhanced International Equity ETF (REFA) belongs to the Foreign Large Cap Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with REFA. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to REFA
REFA charges 0.32% annually. There are 62 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with lower expense ratios, going as low as 0.03%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 0.03% | 317.30B | Jul 2007 | REFA vs VEA | |
| SPDR Portfolio World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 40.43B | Apr 2007 | REFA vs SPDW | |
| Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US ETF | 0.04% | 94.40B | Mar 2007 | REFA vs VEU | |
| BNY Mellon International Equity ETF | 0.04% | 1.23B | Apr 2020 | REFA vs BKIE | |
| iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ... | 0.05% | 30.21B | Mar 2017 | REFA vs IDEV |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to REFA
Among 168 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with risk / return rank data, the top risk-adjusted alternatives shown here go as high as 89.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMO International Value ETF | 89 | 471.00M | Oct 2024 | REFA vs GMOI | |
| Xtrackers MSCI All World ex US Hedged Equity ETF | 86 | 271.10M | Jan 2014 | REFA vs DBAW | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | 86 | 181.35M | Jun 2025 | REFA vs IFLO | |
| Pacer Nasdaq International Patent Leaders ETF | 86 | 145.53M | Sep 2024 | REFA vs PATN | |
| iShares Currency Hedged MSCI ACWI ex U.S. ETF | 86 | 347.52M | Jun 2015 | REFA vs HAWX |
Top Performing REFA Alternatives (YTD)
REFA is at 11.14% YTD. There are 79 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 45.69%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renaissance International IPO ETF | 45.69% | 11.77M | Oct 2014 | REFA vs IPOS | |
| KraneShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index E... | 35.75% | 132.61M | Apr 2019 | REFA vs KEMX | |
| Pacer Nasdaq International Patent Leaders ETF | 33.19% | 145.53M | Sep 2024 | REFA vs PATN | |
| First Trust International Equity Opportunities ETF | 31.33% | 330.05M | Nov 2014 | REFA vs FPXI | |
| Wahed Dow Jones Islamic World ETF | 28.06% | 292.51M | Jan 2022 | REFA vs UMMA |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to REFA
REFA has 18.61% 1-year volatility. There are 151 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 7.52%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | 7.52% | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | REFA vs CIL | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | 8.66% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | REFA vs BUFI | |
| First Trust S&P International Dividend Aristocrats... | 10.20% | 157.20M | Aug 2013 | REFA vs FID | |
| iShares MSCI EAFE Min Vol Factor ETF | 10.72% | 5.08B | Oct 2011 | REFA vs EFAV | |
| Hartford Multifactor Developed Markets (ex-US) ETF | 10.96% | 1.52B | Feb 2015 | REFA vs RODM |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to REFA
Among 168 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with 1-year drawdown data, the lowest-drawdown alternatives shown here go as shallow as -4.60%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VictoryShares International Volatility Wtd ETF | -4.60% | 31.30M | Aug 2015 | REFA vs CIL | |
| Global X MSCI SuperDividendĀ® EAFE ETF | -5.30% | 48.34M | Nov 2016 | REFA vs EFAS | |
| AB International Buffer ETF | -5.69% | 122.81M | Dec 2024 | REFA vs BUFI | |
| VictoryShares International Free Cash Flow ETF | -6.44% | 181.35M | Jun 2025 | REFA vs IFLO | |
| ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF | -6.47% | 512.21M | Jun 2013 | REFA vs IDOG |
Other ETFs from Columbia Threadneedle
The 8 most viewed Columbia Threadneedle ETFs shown here include CRUX, INEQ, AAAC and span 8 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $2B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Core Bond ETF | Intermediate Core Bond | ā | ā | 2.46B | Mar 2026 | REFA vs CRUX | |
| Columbia International Equity Income ETF | Foreign Large Cap Equities | 54 | 6.93% | 85.57M | Jun 2016 | REFA vs INEQ | |
| Columbia AAA CLO ETF | CLO | ā | 2.46% | 9.94M | Dec 2025 | REFA vs AAAC | |
| Columbia Corporate Bond ETF | Corporate Bonds | ā | 0.92% | 55.92M | Dec 2025 | REFA vs CCRP | |
| Columbia Core Plus Bond ETF | Intermediate Core-Plus Bond | ā | 1.05% | 10.22M | Dec 2025 | REFA vs CRXP | |
| Columbia Research Enhanced Mid Cap ETF | Mid Cap Blend Equities | ā | 11.94% | ā | Dec 2025 | REFA vs REMC | |
| Columbia Large Cap Growth ETF | Large Cap Growth Equities | ā | ā | ā | Dec 2015 | REFA vs REGS | |
| Columbia Research Enhanced Small Cap ETF | Small Cap Blend Equities | ā | 21.67% | ā | Dec 2025 | REFA vs RESM |
Compare REFA with Any Fund or Stock
Compare REFA with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
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Pair REFA with funds that move differently
Columbia Research Enhanced International Equity ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to REFA.
Explore REFA Diversifiers