A side-by-side comparison of Vanguard FTSE Developed ex North America High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VIDY) and iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF (XDG) 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 | VIDY | XDG |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +12.42%✓ | +11.40% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.47% | -0.18%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -0.34%✓ | -0.92% |
| 1-Month Change | -0.08%✓ | +2.42% |
| Current Price | $46.60 | $33.41 |
| AUM | $2.07B✓ | $761M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.98%✓ | 2.74% |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2018-08-21 | 2017-06-07 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | International Equity | Global Dividend & Income Equity |
| Beta | 0.82 | 0.50 |
| 52-Week High | $47.28 | $34.63 |
| 52-Week Low | $35.18 | $26.81 |
| 50-Day MA | $45.90 | $32.70 |
| 200-Day MA | $43.24 | $31.32 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | VIDY | XDG |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +12.42%✓ | +11.40% |
| 1 Year | +33.07%✓ | +22.93% |
| 3 Year | +24.23%✓ | +16.73% |
| 5 Year | +16.79%✓ | +11.65% |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 11.59% | 8.90% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 2.05 | 1.40 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | HSBA | HSBC Holdings PLC | 2.69% |
| 2 | NOVN | Novartis AG | 2.42% |
| 3 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 2.40% |
| 4 | NESN | Nestle S.A. | 2.19% |
| 5 | SHEL | Shell plc | 1.80% |
| 6 | 8306 | Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc | 1.77% |
| 7 | BHP | BHP Group Ltd | 1.73% |
| 8 | SAN | Banco Santander S.A. | 1.65% |
| 9 | CBA | Commonwealth Bank of Australia | 1.57% |
| 10 | ALV | Allianz SE VNA O.N. | 1.49% |
| 1 | JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | 3.12% |
| 2 | XOM | Exxon Mobil Corp | 2.90% |
| 3 | ABBV | AbbVie Inc | 2.27% |
| 4 | UNH | UnitedHealth Group Incorporated | 1.92% |
| 5 | HD | The Home Depot Inc | 1.79% |
| 6 | PG | Procter & Gamble Company | 1.74% |
| 7 | MRK | Merck & Company Inc | 1.62% |
| 8 | KO | The Coca-Cola Company | 1.61% |
| 9 | CVX | Chevron Corp | 1.56% |
| 10 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 1.48% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | VIDY | XDG |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 6.22% | 2.26% |
| Communication Services | 4.04% | 2.97% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 6.94% | 9.40% |
| Consumer Defensive | 8.84% | 15.02% |
| Energy | 6.15% | 10.99% |
| Financial Services | 42.54% | 14.57% |
| Healthcare | 9.57% | 21.93% |
| Industrials | 7.04% | 11.42% |
| Real Estate | 1.09% | 0.14% |
| Technology | 1.34% | 5.50% |
| Utilities | 6.22% | 5.80% |
About VIDY
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About XDG
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both VIDY and XDG 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, VIDY 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 VIDY and XDG?
VIDY (Vanguard FTSE Developed ex North America High Dividend Yield Index ETF) and XDG (iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($2.07B vs $761M), dividend yield (2.98% vs 2.74%), and year-to-date performance (+12.42% vs +11.40%).
Is VIDY better than XDG?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, VIDY has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy VIDY and XDG on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both VIDY and XDG should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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