A side-by-side comparison of Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield (VDY) and iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF (XEI) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
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1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | VDY | XEI |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +24.82%✓ | +23.48% |
| 1-Day Change | -1.33% | -0.84%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -0.17% | +0.27%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +2.93%✓ | +2.94% |
| Current Price | $77.74 | $40.26 |
| AUM | $9.09B✓ | $4.35B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0%✓ | 22% |
| Dividend Yield | 3.04% | 3.50%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2012-11-02 | 2011-04-12 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | Canadian Dividend and Income Equity | Canadian Dividend and Income Equity |
| Beta | 0.84 | 0.76 |
| 52-Week High | $79.29 | $40.80 |
| 52-Week Low | $51.14 | $27.68 |
| 50-Day MA | $74.80 | $39.08 |
| 200-Day MA | $66.48 | $35.32 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | VDY | XEI |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +24.82%✓ | +23.48% |
| 1 Year | +54.80%✓ | +45.81% |
| 3 Year | +29.68%✓ | +24.59% |
| 5 Year | +19.68%✓ | +16.83% |
| 10 Year | +14.94%✓ | +12.59% |
| 1Y Volatility | 7.54% | 6.83% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 2.16 | 1.82 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 16.34% |
| 2 | TD | Toronto Dominion Bank | 11.47% |
| 3 | BMO | Bank of Montreal | 7.05% |
| 4 | ENB | Enbridge Inc | 6.68% |
| 5 | BNS | Bank of Nova Scotia | 6.04% |
| 6 | CM | Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce | 5.97% |
| 7 | CNQ | Canadian Natural Resources Ltd | 4.56% |
| 8 | TRP | TC Energy Corp | 3.89% |
| 9 | MFC | Manulife Financial Corp | 3.83% |
| 10 | SU | Suncor Energy Inc | 3.61% |
| 1 | TD | Toronto Dominion Bank | 5.41% |
| 2 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 5.33% |
| 3 | ENB | Enbridge Inc | 4.88% |
| 4 | TRP | TC Energy Corp | 4.67% |
| 5 | BMO | Bank of Montreal | 4.58% |
| 6 | CNQ | Canadian Natural Resources Ltd | 4.42% |
| 7 | SU | Suncor Energy Inc | 4.30% |
| 8 | BNS | Bank of Nova Scotia | 3.95% |
| 9 | CM | Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce | 3.92% |
| 10 | NTR | Nutrien Ltd | 3.85% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | VDY | XEI |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 1.82% | 4.06% |
| Communication Services | 2.55% | 7.12% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 2.79% | 6.06% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.35% | 0.55% |
| Energy | 27.28% | 30.45% |
| Financial Services | 60.68% | 31.94% |
| Healthcare | 0.09% | 0.22% |
| Industrials | 0.20% | 2.05% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 5.07% |
| Technology | 0.36% | 0.68% |
| Utilities | 3.86% | 11.80% |
About VDY
Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF seeks to track, to the extent reasonably possible and before fees and expenses, the performance of a broad Canadian equity index that measures the investment return of common stocks of Canadian companies that are characterized by high dividend yield. Currently, this Vanguard ETF seeks to track the FTSE Canada High Dividend Yield Index (or any successor thereto). It invests primarily in common stocks of Canadian companies that pay dividends.
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 VDY 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, VDY 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 VDY and XEI?
VDY (Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield) and XEI (iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($9.09B vs $4.35B), dividend yield (3.04% vs 3.50%), and year-to-date performance (+24.82% vs +23.48%).
Is VDY better than XEI?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, VDY has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy VDY and XEI on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both VDY and XEI should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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