A side-by-side comparison of CI Canada Quality Dividend Growth Index ETF (DGRC) and iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF (XEI) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
CIBC Investor's Edge
Transfer your investments to CIBC Investor's Edge and get rewarded with an offer of up to $3,000.
- ✓$6.95 flat-rate commissions
- ✓Backed by Big Five bank security
- ✓Transfer bonus offer up to $3,000
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | DGRC | XEI |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +13.00% | +19.40%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.74% | +1.35%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +0.30%✓ | -0.19% |
| 1-Month Change | +2.01%✓ | +2.85% |
| Current Price | $54.25 | $38.93 |
| AUM | $900M | $4.01B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0%✓ | 22% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.45% | 3.70%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2017-09-19 | 2011-04-12 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | Canadian Dividend and Income Equity | Canadian Dividend and Income Equity |
| Beta | 0.84 | 0.79 |
| 52-Week High | $54.66 | $39.39 |
| 52-Week Low | $40.59 | $26.93 |
| 50-Day MA | $52.80 | $37.38 |
| 200-Day MA | $49.02 | $33.92 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | DGRC | XEI |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +13.00% | +19.40%✓ |
| 1 Year | +32.67% | +42.81%✓ |
| 3 Year | +20.63% | +22.65%✓ |
| 5 Year | +12.59% | +15.75%✓ |
| 10 Year | — | +12.26% |
| 1Y Volatility | 12.68% | 6.80% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.45 | 1.81 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | WCP | Whitecap Resources Inc. | 5.62% |
| 2 | IMO | Imperial Oil Ltd | 5.44% |
| 3 | CM | Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce | 5.36% |
| 4 | TD | Toronto Dominion Bank | 5.31% |
| 5 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 5.31% |
| 6 | CNQ | Canadian Natural Resources Ltd | 5.26% |
| 7 | NA | National Bank of Canada | 5.25% |
| 8 | CNR | Canadian National Railway Co | 4.93% |
| 9 | TRI | Thomson Reuters Corp | 4.44% |
| 10 | TOU | Tourmaline Oil Corp. | 4.19% |
| 1 | SU | Suncor Energy Inc | 5.54% |
| 2 | TD | Toronto Dominion Bank | 5.28% |
| 3 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 5.13% |
| 4 | TRP | TC Energy Corp | 5.00% |
| 5 | ENB | Enbridge Inc | 4.87% |
| 6 | CNQ | Canadian Natural Resources Ltd | 4.75% |
| 7 | NTR | Nutrien Ltd | 4.38% |
| 8 | BMO | Bank of Montreal | 4.18% |
| 9 | CM | Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce | 4.03% |
| 10 | BNS | Bank of Nova Scotia | 3.73% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | DGRC | XEI |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 8.01% | 4.11% |
| Communication Services | 1.72% | 7.86% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 10.24% | 5.95% |
| Consumer Defensive | 10.66% | 0.56% |
| Energy | 27.68% | 31.38% |
| Financial Services | 24.34% | 32.35% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.19% |
| Industrials | 16.08% | 0.73% |
| Real Estate | 0.10% | 4.72% |
| Technology | 1.19% | 0.69% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 11.46% |
About DGRC
NA
About XEI
Seeks long-term capital growth by replicating the performance of the S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index, net of expenses.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both DGRC and XEI are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, XEI scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- 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 DGRC and XEI?
DGRC (CI Canada Quality Dividend Growth Index ETF) and XEI (iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($900M vs $4.01B), dividend yield (2.45% vs 3.70%), and year-to-date performance (+13.00% vs +19.40%).
Is DGRC better than XEI?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy DGRC and XEI on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both DGRC and XEI should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
7 stocks to buy and hold forever
Complement your ETF portfolio with these proven long-term individual stocks.
Get the FREE Report