RECSvsQDEFETF Comparison
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Columbia Research Enhanced Core ETF (RECS) and Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive ETF (QDEF) belong to the same industry segment: US Multi-Factor. Both ETFs have the same top 3 sector exposures: Technology, Finance and Healthcare. RECS is less expensive with a Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.15%, versus 0.4% for QDEF. RECS is up 9.96% year-to-date (YTD) with +$675M in YTD flows. QDEF performs better with 11.88% YTD performance, and +$4M in YTD flows. Run a side-by-side ETF comparison of RECS and QDEF below, and assess how they stack up in performance, liquidity, risk, exposure, holdings, and more, helping you select the best ETF for your investments.
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RECS vs QDEF performance and flow charts
Performance
Cumulative Flows
Historic performance and flows
Data as of 09/10/2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | RECS QDEF | -0.51%-1.49% | +5.80%+5.52% | +9.96%+11.88% | +15.94%+15.92% | +78.06%+69.14% | +87.68%+80.47% |
| Flows | RECS QDEF | -$12M-$2M | +$44M-$8M | +$675M+$4M | +$1.63B+$12M | +$4.49B+$17M | +$4.67B-$100M |
Volatility and drawdown
| 3M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volatility | RECS QDEF | +10.50%+8.82% | +12.01%+9.88% | +14.56%+12.05% | +16.59%+13.97% |
| Max drawdown | RECS QDEF | -2.96%-2.36% | -8.79%-6.99% | -18.49%-14.47% | -22.06%-21.30% |
| Max drawdown duration | RECS QDEF | 23d17d | 66d66d | 126d191d | 573d566d |
Trading data
RECS | QDEF | |
Last sale 9/11/2026 at 1:30 PM | $45.19 | $90.53 |
| Previous close 09/10/2026 | $44.91 | $89.91 |
| Consolidated volume 09/10/2026 | ||
| Average volume 30 days | ||
| Average discount or premium 30 days | ||
| Average Bid/Ask spread 30 days |
Replication quality
Data as of August 31, 2026
1-year trailing difference
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RECS | QDEF | |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking error | ||
| Tracking difference | ||
| 1 year cumulative return difference | ||
| Best | ||
| Worst | ||
| Daily return difference | ||
| Average | ||
| Worst | ||
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Main metrics
Last update 9/11/2026 at 1:30 PM
Live
Closed
RECS | QDEF | |
|---|---|---|
| Last price | $45.19 | $90.53 |
| 1D performance | +0.62% | +0.69% |
| AuM | $5.99 B | $550.83 M |
| E/R | 0.15% | 0.4% |
Characteristics
RECS | QDEF | |
|---|---|---|
| Management strategy | Passive | Passive |
| Provider | Columbia Threadneedle Investments | Northern Trust |
| Benchmark | Beta Advantage Research Enhanced U.S. Equity Index | Northern Trust Quality Dividend Defensive Index |
| N° of holdings | 442 | 133 |
| Asset class | Equities | Equities |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | Join | Join |
| Inception date | September 25, 2019 | December 14, 2012 |
| ESG | No | No |
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Exposure
Countries
RECS
USA
99.05%
Other
0.95%
QDEF
USA
96.57%
Other
3.43%
Sectors
RECS
Technology
41.49%
Finance
13.66%
Healthcare
8.46%
Consumer Non-Cycl.
7.77%
Industrials
7.76%
Other
20.86%
QDEF
Technology
39.07%
Finance
16.13%
Healthcare
10.34%
Consumer Non-Cycl.
9.59%
Other
24.86%
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Diversification
RECS
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
45.24%
QDEF
Total weight of top 15 holdings out of 15
46.38%
Top 15 holdings
Data as of July 31, 2026
RECS
NVIDIA Corp.
12.00%
Apple, Inc.
11.28%
Meta Platforms, Inc.
4.90%
Mastercard, Inc.
2.40%
Micron Technology, Inc.
2.29%
Bank of America Corp.
2.03%
Chevron Corp.
1.55%
The TJX Cos., Inc.
1.40%
Altria Group, Inc.
1.20%
Bristol Myers Squibb Co.
1.13%
Citigroup, Inc.
1.08%
Cisco Systems, Inc.
1.03%
Starbucks Corp.
1.03%
Palantir Technologies, Inc.
0.97%
CVS Health Corp.
0.95%
QDEF
Apple, Inc.
8.26%
NVIDIA Corp.
6.35%
Broadcom Inc.
4.64%
Microsoft Corp.
4.02%
AbbVie, Inc.
3.01%
Johnson & Johnson
2.74%
Alphabet, Inc.
2.42%
Procter & Gamble Co.
2.33%
Cisco Systems, Inc.
2.25%
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
2.09%
Philip Morris International, Inc.
2.06%
Alphabet, Inc.
1.96%
KLA Corp.
1.68%
Lam Research Corp.
1.35%
The TJX Cos., Inc.
1.21%
Frequently asked questions about RECS and QDEF
How have the RECS and QDEF ETFs performed in 2026?
As of September 10, 2026, RECS is up 9.96% year-to-date (YTD), while QDEF has returned 11.88%. That puts QDEF better performer ahead so far this year.
Which ETF is attracting more investor money: RECS or QDEF?
Year-to-date, the RECS ETF saw +$675M in flows, compared to +$4M for QDEF.
Which ETF is more volatile: RECS or QDEF?
Over the past year, RECS had a volatility of 12.01%, while QDEF experienced 9.88%.
Which ETF is bigger: RECS or QDEF?
As of September 10, 2026, RECS holds $5.99 B in assets under management (AUM), while QDEF manages $550.83 M.
What sectors do the RECS and QDEF ETFs invest in?
RECS leans toward sectors like Technology, Finance and Healthcare. Meanwhile, QDEF focuses on Technology, Finance and Healthcare.
What are the top holdings of the RECS ETF and QDEF ETF?
RECS top holdings include NVIDIA Corp., Apple, Inc. and Meta Platforms, Inc.. QDEF holds in its top three: Apple, Inc., NVIDIA Corp. and Broadcom Inc..
Which ETF is more diversified: RECS or QDEF?
RECS holds 451 securities with 45.24% of its assets in the top 15. QDEF has 134 securities and a top 15 weight of 46.38%.
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