A side-by-side comparison of CI Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (CIAI) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI (XEF) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | CIAI | XEF |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +19.46%✓ | +9.45% |
| 1-Day Change | -1.95% | +0.63%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +3.48%✓ | +0.93% |
| 1-Month Change | -8.84% | -1.60%✓ |
| Current Price | $38.68 | $51.21 |
| AUM | $1.07B | $24.18B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | — |
| Dividend Yield | — | 2.29% |
| Distribution Frequency | — | Half-yearly |
| Inception Date | 2024-05-02 | 2013-04-10 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Global Equity | Global Equity |
| Beta | 0.00 | 1.00 |
| 52-Week High | $44.30 | $53.26 |
| 52-Week Low | $28.67 | $44.03 |
| 50-Day MA | $40.35 | $51.89 |
| 200-Day MA | $37.16 | $50.40 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | CIAI | XEF |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +19.46%✓ | +9.45% |
| 1 Year | +12.87%✓ | +12.09% |
| 3 Year | — | +19.76% |
| 5 Year | — | +10.92% |
| 10 Year | — | +9.20% |
| 1Y Volatility | 28.36% | 12.99% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.00 | 1.60 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 11.36% |
| 2 | META | Meta Platforms Inc. | 6.84% |
| 3 | AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 6.45% |
| 4 | AMZN | Amazon.com Inc | 6.35% |
| 5 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 5.53% |
| 6 | AMD | Advanced Micro Devices Inc | 5.35% |
| 7 | GOOG | Alphabet Inc Class C | 4.38% |
| 8 | ASML | ASML Holding N.V. New York Registry Shares | 4.23% |
| 9 | TSM | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing | 4.07% |
| 10 | PLTR | Palantir Technologies Inc. | 3.36% |
| 1 | ASML | ASML Holding N.V. | 2.80% |
| 2 | IEFA | iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF | 2.38% |
| 3 | HSBA | HSBC Holdings PLC | 1.35% |
| 4 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 1.14% |
| 5 | SHEL | Shell plc | 1.04% |
| 6 | NOVN | Novartis AG | 0.97% |
| 7 | 8306 | Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc | 0.97% |
| 8 | AZN | AstraZeneca PLC | 0.98% |
| 9 | NESN | Nestle S.A. | 0.89% |
| 10 | SIE | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | 0.91% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | CIAI | XEF |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 6.56% |
| Communication Services | 13.98% | 4.76% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 6.84% | 8.24% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 6.85% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 4.27% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 23.43% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 10.40% |
| Industrials | 5.15% | 19.07% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 2.80% |
| Technology | 74.77% | 11.07% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 3.52% |
About CIAI
CI Global Artificial Intelligence ETF (CIAI.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About XEF
iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI (XEF.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both CIAI and XEF are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
CIAI and XEF are closely matched on the metrics we track. The right choice depends on your individual investment goals, tax situation, and time horizon.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between CIAI and XEF?
CIAI (CI Global Artificial Intelligence ETF) and XEF (iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($1.07B vs $24.18B), dividend yield (N/A vs 2.29%), and year-to-date performance (+19.46% vs +9.45%).
Is CIAI better than XEF?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, CIAI has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy CIAI and XEF on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both CIAI and XEF should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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