A side-by-side comparison of iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF (XGD) and Global X Enhanced Income Gold Producers Common Class (HEP) 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 | XGD | HEP |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -14.14% | -7.60%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.23%✓ | -7.60% |
| 1-Week Change | -4.75% | — |
| 1-Month Change | -15.90% | — |
| Current Price | $43.96 | $60.16 |
| AUM | $3.07B✓ | $515M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0%✓ | 0.81% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.88% | 6.82%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Half-yearly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2001-03-23 | 2011-04-11 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | Precious Metals Equity | Precious Metals Equity |
| Beta | 1.02 | 0.96 |
| 52-Week High | $69.54 | $69.73 |
| 52-Week Low | $31.20 | $33.13 |
| 50-Day MA | $51.19 | $23.67 |
| 200-Day MA | $53.33 | $27.50 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XGD | HEP |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -14.14% | -7.60%✓ |
| 1 Year | +43.75%✓ | +36.80% |
| 3 Year | +35.62%✓ | +34.31% |
| 5 Year | +20.12%✓ | +19.49% |
| 10 Year | +11.14% | +11.17%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 47.33% | 45.36% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.08 | 1.05 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | NEM | Newmont Goldcorp Corp | 15.85% |
| 2 | AEM | Agnico Eagle Mines Limited | 12.56% |
| 3 | ABX | Barrick Gold Corp | 9.79% |
| 4 | WPM | Wheaton Precious Metals Corp | 8.12% |
| 5 | FNV | Franco-Nevada Corporation | 6.40% |
| 6 | AU | AngloGold Ashanti plc | 5.46% |
| 7 | GFI | Gold Fields Ltd ADR | 4.78% |
| 8 | K | Kinross Gold Corp | 4.49% |
| 9 | PAAS | Pan American Silver Corp | 3.00% |
| 10 | CDE | Coeur Mining Inc | 2.68% |
| 1 | OR | OR Royalties Inc. | 9.71% |
| 2 | FNV | Franco-Nevada Corporation | 8.65% |
| 3 | NEM | Newmont Goldcorp Corp | 8.43% |
| 4 | RGLD | Royal Gold Inc | 7.90% |
| 5 | WPM | Wheaton Precious Metals Corp | 7.53% |
| 6 | PAAS | Pan American Silver Corp | 7.41% |
| 7 | EDV | Endeavour Mining Corp | 7.26% |
| 8 | KL | Kirkland Lake Gold Ltd | 6.60% |
| 9 | AEM | Agnico Eagle Mines Limited | 6.37% |
| 10 | YRI | Yamana Gold Inc | 6.18% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XGD | HEP |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 100.00% | 100.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About XGD
iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF (XGD.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About HEP
NA
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both XGD and HEP 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, HEP 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 XGD and HEP?
XGD (iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF) and HEP (Global X Enhanced Income Gold Producers Common Class) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($3.07B vs $515M), dividend yield (0.88% vs 6.82%), and year-to-date performance (-14.14% vs -7.60%).
Is XGD better than HEP?
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 XGD and HEP on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XGD and HEP should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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