RECS vs. ESGN

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

RECS (Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF) and ESGN (Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RECS is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Beta Advantage Research Enhanced U.S. Equity Index, while ESGN is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI Beta ADV Sust Intl Equity Income 100. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RECS returned 9.72%/yr vs 9.59%/yr for ESGN. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RECS charges 0.15%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for ESGN.

Performance

RECS vs. ESGN - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF (RECS) and Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF (ESGN). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with RECS having a 4.95% return and ESGN slightly higher at 5.17%. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with RECS having a 9.72% annualized return and ESGN not far behind at 9.59%.

RECS

• 1D: -0.60%
• 1M: -0.92%
• YTD: 4.95%
• 6M: 3.98%
• 1Y: 21.27%
• 3Y*: 20.55%
• 5Y*: 13.53%
• 10Y*: 9.72%

ESGN

• 1D: -0.95%
• 1M: -2.95%
• YTD: 5.17%
• 6M: 5.43%
• 1Y: 23.37%
• 3Y*: 19.18%
• 5Y*: 11.66%
• 10Y*: 9.59%

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

RECS vs. ESGN - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RECS Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF	4.95%	19.30%	26.27%	23.19%	-14.39%	32.73%	15.35%	-0.93%	0.00%	0.00%
ESGN Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF	5.17%	39.85%	6.02%	20.88%	-5.95%	10.18%	-0.52%	15.83%	-18.30%	24.88%

Correlation

The correlation between RECS and ESGN is 0.58, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.58
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.58
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 13, 2016	0.55

The correlation between RECS and ESGN shifts across timeframes, from 0.55 (all time) to 0.65 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

RECS vs. ESGN - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RECS	ESGN
Technology	32.9%	7.0%
Financial Services	16.9%	15.4%
Consumer Cyclical	10.4%	6.6%
Healthcare	9.2%	3.9%
Communication Services	7.6%	1.2%
Industrials	7.3%	15.8%
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	3.5%
Energy	3.5%	13.0%
Utilities	2.3%	9.3%
Real Estate	2.3%	0.2%
Basic Materials	2.2%	1.9%

Return for Risk

RECS vs. ESGN — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

RECS

RECS Risk / Return Rank: 55
RECS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 55
RECS Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
RECS Omega Ratio Rank: 52
RECS Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
RECS Martin Ratio Rank: 60

ESGN

ESGN Risk / Return Rank: 54
ESGN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
ESGN Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
ESGN Omega Ratio Rank: 53
ESGN Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
ESGN Martin Ratio Rank: 53

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

RECS vs. ESGN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF (RECS) and Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF (ESGN). 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	ESGN	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.77	1.70	+0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.47	2.40	+0.07
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.31	1.31	0.00
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.42	2.46	-0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.23	8.42	+1.81

RECS vs. ESGN - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RECS Sharpe Ratio is 1.77, which is comparable to the ESGN Sharpe Ratio of 1.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RECS and ESGN, 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. ESGN - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RECS drawdown since its inception was -34.29%, smaller than the maximum ESGN drawdown of -41.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RECS and ESGN.

Drawdown Indicators

	RECS	ESGN	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.29%	-41.71%	+7.42%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.82%	-9.56%	+0.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.60%	-14.38%	-4.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.08%	-24.51%	+2.43%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.29%	-41.71%	+7.42%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.48%	-5.44%	+2.96%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.28%	-7.04%	+5.76%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.08%	2.78%	-0.70%

Volatility

RECS vs. ESGN - Volatility Comparison

Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF (RECS) and Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF (ESGN) have volatilities of 3.90% and 3.96%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RECS	ESGN	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.90%	3.96%	-0.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.38%	11.06%	-1.68%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.11%	13.77%	-1.66%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.43%	15.33%	+1.10%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.26%	16.34%	-0.08%

RECS vs. ESGN - Expense Ratio Comparison

RECS has a 0.15% expense ratio, which is lower than ESGN's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

RECS vs. ESGN - Dividend Comparison

RECS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.06%, less than ESGN's 9.38% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
ESGN Columbia Sustainable International Equity Income ETF	9.38%	9.76%	3.11%	3.27%	3.57%	3.43%	2.64%	3.34%	7.25%	4.63%	2.52%
RECS Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF	1.06%	1.11%	1.09%	1.00%	1.41%	20.64%	1.09%	0.49%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RECS and ESGN in my portfolio?

RECS and ESGN have a correlation of 0.58, 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 ESGN?

ESGN has higher volatility (3.96%) compared to RECS (3.90%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RECS dropped -34.29% vs ESGN's -41.71%.

Which ETF is better, RECS or ESGN?

On 10-year performance, RECS leads with 9.72% vs 9.59% for ESGN. On fees, RECS is cheaper at 0.15% per year. Their volatility is very similar. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RECS or ESGN?

Over the 10-year period, RECS has performed better with a 9.72% return vs 9.59%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RECS or ESGN?

RECS is cheaper with a 0.15% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for ESGN.

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

ESGN has the higher dividend yield at 9.38%, compared with 1.06% for RECS.

What is the main difference between RECS and ESGN?

RECS is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while ESGN is Foreign Large Cap Equities. RECS tracks Beta Advantage Research Enhanced U.S. Equity Index, while ESGN tracks MSCI Beta ADV Sust Intl Equity Income 100. Their fees differ too: 0.15% for RECS and 0.45% for ESGN.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

RECS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.77 vs 1.70), 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.