A side-by-side comparison of iShares China (XCH) and WisdomTree China ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund (CXSE) 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 | XCH | CXSE |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -86.67% | -18.76%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -84.02% | -1.99%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -84.03% | -1.19%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -85.00% | -10.16%✓ |
| Current Price | $3.46 | $31.56 |
| AUM | $169M | $378M✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | 0.32% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.81% | 1.93%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Half-yearly | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2010-01-21 | 2012-09-19 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 246 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Greater China Equity | Greater China Equity |
| Beta | 0.89 | 0.68 |
| 52-Week High | $26.90 | $42.55 |
| 52-Week Low | $21.02 | $31.47 |
| 50-Day MA | $22.82 | $35.60 |
| 200-Day MA | $23.54 | $38.52 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XCH | CXSE |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -86.67% | -18.76%✓ |
| 1 Year | -18.38%✓ | -24.74% |
| 3 Year | +10.84%✓ | +5.43% |
| 5 Year | -0.23%✓ | -9.07% |
| 10 Year | +1.22% | +3.26%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 17.80% | 15.10% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.50 | 0.24 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | FXI | iShares China Large-Cap ETF | 94.98% |
| 1 | 0700 | Tencent Holdings Ltd | 7.94% |
| 2 | 9988 | Alibaba Group Holding Ltd | 7.81% |
| 3 | 300750 | Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd Class A | 3.67% |
| 4 | 300308 | Shandong Zhongji Electrical Equipment Co Ltd | 2.89% |
| 5 | 601318 | Ping An Insurance Group Co of China Ltd | 2.79% |
| 6 | PDD | PDD Holdings Inc. | 2.23% |
| 7 | 1810 | Xiaomi Corp | 2.15% |
| 8 | 000333 | Midea Group Co Ltd | 2.10% |
| 9 | 3690 | Meituan | 1.96% |
| 10 | 2318 | Ping An Insurance | 1.61% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XCH | CXSE |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 3.26% | 2.70% |
| Communication Services | 14.40% | 13.28% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 25.16% | 26.31% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.86% | 4.91% |
| Energy | 5.70% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 37.35% | 7.28% |
| Healthcare | 3.38% | 12.06% |
| Industrials | 2.07% | 11.37% |
| Real Estate | 1.03% | 0.92% |
| Technology | 6.32% | 22.09% |
| Utilities | 0.42% | 0.27% |
About XCH
NA
About CXSE
The fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in constituents of the index and/or investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially similar to the economic characteristics of such constituents. The index is a modified float-adjusted market cap weighted index that consists of common stocks in China, excluding common stocks of "state-owned enterprises. It is non-diversified.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both XCH and CXSE 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, CXSE 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 XCH and CXSE?
XCH (iShares China) and CXSE (WisdomTree China ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($169M vs $378M), dividend yield (1.81% vs 1.93%), and year-to-date performance (-86.67% vs -18.76%).
Is XCH better than CXSE?
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 XCH and CXSE on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XCH and CXSE should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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