A side-by-side comparison of iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (XUS) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund ETF Shares (VONG) 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 | XUS | VONG |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +15.06%✓ | -0.40% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.36%✓ | -1.51% |
| 1-Week Change | +0.60% | +0.88%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -0.67% | -3.29%✓ |
| Current Price | $66.85 | $124.69 |
| AUM | $13.80B | $46.49B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | 0.08% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.14%✓ | 0.47% |
| Distribution Frequency | Half-yearly | NA |
| Inception Date | 2013-04-10 | 2010-09-20 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 371 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | US Equity | US Equity |
| Beta | 0.97 | 1.21 |
| 52-Week High | $69.04 | $133.63 |
| 52-Week Low | $54.20 | $104.97 |
| 50-Day MA | $66.72 | $127.40 |
| 200-Day MA | $62.68 | $122.97 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XUS | VONG |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +15.06%✓ | -0.40% |
| 1 Year | +13.87%✓ | +1.34% |
| 3 Year | +24.06% | +24.65%✓ |
| 5 Year | +15.34%✓ | +11.81% |
| 10 Year | +15.76% | +18.00%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 10.44% | 18.66% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.72 | 1.13 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 100.60% |
| 1 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 15.96% |
| 2 | AAPL | Apple Inc. | 7.73% |
| 3 | GOOGL | Alphabet Inc Class A | 5.78% |
| 4 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 5.48% |
| 5 | AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 4.72% |
| 6 | GOOG | Alphabet Inc Class C | 4.82% |
| 7 | META | Meta Platforms Inc. | 3.71% |
| 8 | MU | Micron Technology Inc | 3.49% |
| 9 | TSLA | Tesla Inc | 3.18% |
| 10 | AMD | Advanced Micro Devices Inc | 2.85% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XUS | VONG |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 1.51% | 0.26% |
| Communication Services | 8.90% | 16.36% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 8.89% | 7.62% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.67% | 1.11% |
| Energy | 3.97% | 0.50% |
| Financial Services | 11.77% | 4.30% |
| Healthcare | 9.72% | 5.39% |
| Industrials | 7.63% | 7.64% |
| Real Estate | 1.85% | 0.38% |
| Technology | 37.74% | 55.12% |
| Utilities | 1.95% | 0.24% |
About XUS
iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (XUS.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About VONG
The index is designed to measure the performance of large-capitalization growth stocks in the United States. The Advisor attempts to replicate the target index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the index, holding each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the index. The fund may become non-diversified, as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940, solely as a result of a change in relative market capitalization or ind…
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both XUS and VONG 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, XUS 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 XUS and VONG?
XUS (iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF) and VONG (Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund ETF Shares) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($13.80B vs $46.49B), dividend yield (1.14% vs 0.47%), and year-to-date performance (+15.06% vs -0.40%).
Is XUS better than VONG?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, XUS has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy XUS and VONG on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XUS and VONG should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
7 stocks to buy and hold forever
Complement your ETF portfolio with these proven long-term individual stocks.
Get the FREE Report