A side-by-side comparison of CI Emerging Markets Alpha ETF C$ Series (CIEM) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap Index ETF (VEE) 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 | CIEM | VEE |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +21.41%✓ | +10.50% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.32%✓ | -0.77% |
| 1-Week Change | +1.40%✓ | -1.05% |
| 1-Month Change | +0.19%✓ | -0.14% |
| Current Price | $31.22 | $50.11 |
| AUM | $147M | $4.56B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.68% | 1.86%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2021-08-26 | 2011-11-30 |
| Holdings Count | 9 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | Emerging Markets Equity | Emerging Markets Equity |
| Beta | 1.12 | 0.64 |
| 52-Week High | $35.00 | $52.34 |
| 52-Week Low | $22.17 | $41.50 |
| 50-Day MA | $31.66 | $50.12 |
| 200-Day MA | $28.30 | $47.50 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | CIEM | VEE |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +21.41%✓ | +10.50% |
| 1 Year | +40.41%✓ | +20.24% |
| 3 Year | +23.45%✓ | +18.03% |
| 5 Year | — | +8.16% |
| 10 Year | — | +7.90% |
| 1Y Volatility | 27.44% | 12.69% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.99 | 1.10 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | 2330 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 14.81% |
| 2 | 005930 | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 10.87% |
| 3 | 000660 | SK Hynix Inc | 9.11% |
| 4 | 0700 | Tencent Holdings Ltd | 3.10% |
| 5 | 2454 | MediaTek Inc | 2.57% |
| 6 | D05 | DBS Group Holdings Ltd | 2.34% |
| 7 | STAN | Standard Chartered PLC | 2.23% |
| 8 | 3711 | ASE Industrial Holding Co Ltd | 1.99% |
| 9 | 2308 | Delta Electronics Inc | 1.88% |
| 1 | VWO | Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Index Fund ETF Shares | 100.00% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | CIEM | VEE |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 5.99% | 7.72% |
| Communication Services | 6.86% | 6.61% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 8.38% | 9.92% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 3.45% |
| Energy | 5.84% | 4.11% |
| Financial Services | 24.82% | 18.95% |
| Healthcare | 0.88% | 3.65% |
| Industrials | 7.50% | 7.82% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 2.14% |
| Technology | 39.72% | 32.78% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 2.86% |
About CIEM
NA
About VEE
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap Index ETF (VEE.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 CIEM and VEE 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, VEE 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 CIEM and VEE?
CIEM (CI Emerging Markets Alpha ETF C$ Series) and VEE (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($147M vs $4.56B), dividend yield (0.68% vs 1.86%), and year-to-date performance (+21.41% vs +10.50%).
Is CIEM better than VEE?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, CIEM has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy CIEM and VEE on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both CIEM and VEE should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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