A side-by-side comparison of iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF (XAW) 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 | XAW | XEF |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +13.29%✓ | +9.45% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.31% | +0.63%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +0.69% | +0.93%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -1.83% | -1.60%✓ |
| Current Price | $58.38 | $51.21 |
| AUM | $4.67B | $24.18B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | — |
| Dividend Yield | 1.16% | 2.29%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Half-yearly | Half-yearly |
| Inception Date | 2015-02-10 | 2013-04-10 |
| Holdings Count | 6 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Global Equity | Global Equity |
| Beta | 0.97 | 1.00 |
| 52-Week High | $60.71 | $53.26 |
| 52-Week Low | $48.92 | $44.03 |
| 50-Day MA | $58.99 | $51.89 |
| 200-Day MA | $56.07 | $50.40 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XAW | XEF |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +13.29%✓ | +9.45% |
| 1 Year | +13.00%✓ | +12.09% |
| 3 Year | +22.32%✓ | +19.76% |
| 5 Year | +13.68%✓ | +10.92% |
| 10 Year | +13.17%✓ | +9.20% |
| 1Y Volatility | 10.86% | 12.99% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.77 | 1.60 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 51.74% |
| 2 | XEF | iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI | 22.09% |
| 3 | XEC | iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF | 12.46% |
| 4 | ITOT | iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | 7.99% |
| 5 | IJH | iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF | 3.11% |
| 6 | IJR | iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 1.76% |
| 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 | XAW | XEF |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 3.29% | 6.56% |
| Communication Services | 7.00% | 4.76% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 8.98% | 8.24% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.72% | 6.85% |
| Energy | 4.17% | 4.27% |
| Financial Services | 14.80% | 23.43% |
| Healthcare | 9.00% | 10.40% |
| Industrials | 10.30% | 19.07% |
| Real Estate | 2.29% | 2.80% |
| Technology | 30.49% | 11.07% |
| Utilities | 2.49% | 3.52% |
About XAW
NA
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 XAW and XEF 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, XEF 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 XAW and XEF?
XAW (iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF) and XEF (iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($4.67B vs $24.18B), dividend yield (1.16% vs 2.29%), and year-to-date performance (+13.29% vs +9.45%).
Is XAW better than XEF?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, XAW has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy XAW and XEF on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XAW and XEF should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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