RECS vs. DGRO

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

RECS (Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF) and DGRO (iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF) are both Large Cap Growth Equities funds - RECS tracks the Beta Advantage Research Enhanced U.S. Equity Index while DGRO tracks the Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RECS returned 10.05%/yr vs 13.38%/yr for DGRO. Their 0.60 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. RECS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for DGRO.

Performance

RECS vs. DGRO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF (RECS) and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RECS achieves a 8.13% return, which is significantly lower than DGRO's 13.79% return. Over the past 10 years, RECS has underperformed DGRO with an annualized return of 10.05%, while DGRO has yielded a comparatively higher 13.38% annualized return.

RECS

• 1D: 0.91%
• 1M: 1.54%
• 6M: 6.59%
• YTD: 8.13%
• 1Y: 20.01%
• 3Y*: 20.51%
• 5Y*: 13.31%
• 10Y*: 10.05%
• ALL TIME*: 3.91%

DGRO

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 1.32%
• 6M: 9.21%
• YTD: 13.79%
• 1Y: 24.64%
• 3Y*: 17.09%
• 5Y*: 11.15%
• 10Y*: 13.38%
• ALL TIME*: 12.49%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	$107.57M	$103.25M	$110.55M
RECS Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF	$24.00M	$20.19M	$19.93M

RECS vs. DGRO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RECS Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF	8.13%	19.30%	26.27%	23.19%	-14.39%	32.73%	15.35%	-0.93%	0.00%	0.00%
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	13.79%	15.69%	16.62%	10.47%	-7.91%	26.64%	9.50%	29.87%	-2.38%	23.00%

Correlation

The correlation between RECS and DGRO is 0.65, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.65
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.74
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.83
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions.	0.68
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 12, 2014	0.60

The correlation between RECS and DGRO shifts across timeframes, from 0.60 (all time) to 0.83 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RECS vs. DGRO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RECS	DGRO
Technology	36.6%	17.3%
Financial Services	11.9%	20.4%
Communication Services	10.2%	0.1%
Consumer Cyclical	9.4%	6.5%
Healthcare	9.1%	17.9%
Industrials	8.9%	11.3%
Consumer Defensive	4.5%	11.9%
Energy	3.0%	4.8%
Real Estate	2.2%	-
Utilities	2.2%	7.3%
Basic Materials	1.9%	2.5%

Return for Risk

RECS vs. DGRO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

RECS

RECS Risk / Return Rank: 68
RECS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
RECS Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
RECS Omega Ratio Rank: 66
RECS Calmar Ratio Rank: 63
RECS Martin Ratio Rank: 73

DGRO

DGRO Risk / Return Rank: 92
DGRO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
DGRO Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
DGRO Omega Ratio Rank: 93
DGRO Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
DGRO Martin Ratio Rank: 90

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

RECS vs. DGRO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF (RECS) and iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	RECS	DGRO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	2.60	-0.95
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.31	3.77	-1.46
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.48	-0.19
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.28	3.83	-1.55
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.45	14.91	-5.46

RECS vs. DGRO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RECS Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is lower than the DGRO Sharpe Ratio of 2.60. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RECS and DGRO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

RECS vs. DGRO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RECS drawdown since its inception was -34.29%, roughly equal to the maximum DGRO drawdown of -35.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RECS and DGRO.

Drawdown Indicators

	RECS	DGRO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.29%	-35.10%	+0.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.82%	-6.47%	-2.35%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.60%	-14.03%	-4.57%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.08%	-19.31%	-2.77%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.29%	-35.10%	+0.81%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.10%	-1.01%	-0.09%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.28%	-3.41%	+2.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.12%	1.66%	+0.46%

Volatility

RECS vs. DGRO - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF (RECS) has a higher volatility of 3.25% compared to iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (DGRO) at 2.88%. This indicates that RECS's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DGRO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RECS	DGRO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.25%	2.88%	+0.37%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.43%	7.12%	+2.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.22%	9.54%	+2.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.41%	13.79%	+2.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.30%	16.58%	-0.28%

RECS vs. DGRO - Expense Ratio Comparison

RECS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is higher than DGRO's 0.08% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

RECS vs. DGRO - Dividend Comparison

RECS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than DGRO's 1.89% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DGRO iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF	1.89%	2.09%	2.26%	2.45%	2.34%	1.93%	2.30%	2.21%	2.44%	2.03%	2.27%	2.52%
RECS Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF	1.03%	1.11%	1.09%	1.00%	1.41%	20.64%	1.09%	0.49%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RECS and DGRO in my portfolio?

RECS and DGRO have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RECS or DGRO?

RECS has higher volatility (3.25%) compared to DGRO (2.88%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RECS dropped -34.29% vs DGRO's -35.10%.

Which ETF is better, RECS or DGRO?

On 10-year performance, DGRO leads with 13.38% vs 10.05% for RECS. On fees, DGRO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. On volatility, DGRO has been the lower-risk option at 2.88%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RECS or DGRO?

Over the 10-year period, DGRO has performed better with a 13.38% return vs 10.05%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RECS or DGRO?

DGRO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.15% for RECS.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RECS or DGRO?

DGRO has the higher dividend yield at 1.89%, compared with 1.03% for RECS.

What is the main difference between RECS and DGRO?

RECS tracks Beta Advantage Research Enhanced U.S. Equity Index, while DGRO tracks Morningstar US Dividend Growth Index. They also come from different issuers: Ameriprise Financial and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for RECS and 0.08% for DGRO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DGRO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.60 vs 1.65), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.