A side-by-side comparison of iShares Core Equity Portfolio (XEQT) 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 | XEQT | XEF |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +13.10%✓ | +9.45% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.04% | +0.63%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +0.82% | +0.93%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -0.48% | -1.60%✓ |
| Current Price | $45.42 | $51.21 |
| AUM | $23.76B | $24.18B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | — |
| Dividend Yield | 1.56% | 2.29%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Half-yearly |
| Inception Date | 2019-08-07 | 2013-04-10 |
| Holdings Count | 5 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Global Equity | Global Equity |
| Beta | 0.88 | 1.00 |
| 52-Week High | $46.38 | $53.26 |
| 52-Week Low | $37.96 | $44.03 |
| 50-Day MA | $45.60 | $51.89 |
| 200-Day MA | $43.57 | $50.40 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XEQT | XEF |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +13.10%✓ | +9.45% |
| 1 Year | +15.94%✓ | +12.09% |
| 3 Year | +23.41%✓ | +19.76% |
| 5 Year | +13.88%✓ | +10.92% |
| 10 Year | +0.00% | +9.20%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 9.52% | 12.99% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.93 | 1.60 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | XTOT | iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market Index ETF | 30.67% |
| 2 | XIC | iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite | 24.44% |
| 3 | XEF | iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI | 25.05% |
| 4 | ITOT | iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | 14.86% |
| 5 | XEC | iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF | 4.82% |
| 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 | XEQT | XEF |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 6.51% | 6.56% |
| Communication Services | 5.55% | 4.76% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.05% | 8.24% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.55% | 6.85% |
| Energy | 7.71% | 4.27% |
| Financial Services | 21.67% | 23.43% |
| Healthcare | 7.28% | 10.40% |
| Industrials | 11.42% | 19.07% |
| Real Estate | 2.05% | 2.80% |
| Technology | 23.91% | 11.07% |
| Utilities | 2.75% | 3.52% |
About XEQT
The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital growth by investing primarily in one or more exchange-traded funds managed by BlackRock Canada or an affiliate that provide exposure to equity securities.
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 XEQT 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 XEQT and XEF?
XEQT (iShares Core Equity Portfolio) and XEF (iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($23.76B vs $24.18B), dividend yield (1.56% vs 2.29%), and year-to-date performance (+13.10% vs +9.45%).
Is XEQT better than XEF?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, XEQT has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy XEQT and XEF on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XEQT and XEF should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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