A side-by-side comparison of CI Emerging Markets Alpha ETF C$ Series (CIEM) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF (XEC) 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 | XEC |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +21.41%✓ | +18.75% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.32%✓ | -0.45% |
| 1-Week Change | +1.40%✓ | +1.01% |
| 1-Month Change | +0.19% | +0.90%✓ |
| Current Price | $31.22 | $43.82 |
| AUM | $147M | $4.61B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.68% | 1.63%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Half-yearly |
| Inception Date | 2021-08-26 | 2013-04-10 |
| Holdings Count | 9 | 8 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | Emerging Markets Equity | Emerging Markets Equity |
| Beta | 1.12 | 0.99 |
| 52-Week High | $35.00 | $47.73 |
| 52-Week Low | $22.17 | $32.26 |
| 50-Day MA | $31.66 | $44.11 |
| 200-Day MA | $28.30 | $40.26 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | CIEM | XEC |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +21.41%✓ | +18.75% |
| 1 Year | +40.41%✓ | +34.19% |
| 3 Year | +23.45%✓ | +22.58% |
| 5 Year | — | +10.12% |
| 10 Year | — | +9.18% |
| 1Y Volatility | 27.44% | 21.90% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.99 | 1.07 |
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 | 2330 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 13.15% |
| 2 | 005930 | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 6.13% |
| 3 | 000660 | SK Hynix Inc | 4.74% |
| 4 | IEMG | iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 2.90% |
| 5 | 0700 | Tencent Holdings Ltd | 2.66% |
| 6 | 9988 | Alibaba Group Holding Ltd | 1.78% |
| 7 | 2454 | MediaTek Inc | 1.13% |
| 8 | 2308 | Delta Electronics Inc | 0.70% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | CIEM | XEC |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 5.99% | 6.58% |
| Communication Services | 6.86% | 6.18% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 8.38% | 9.17% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 3.00% |
| Energy | 5.84% | 3.41% |
| Financial Services | 24.82% | 18.55% |
| Healthcare | 0.88% | 3.69% |
| Industrials | 7.50% | 7.79% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 1.58% |
| Technology | 39.72% | 38.09% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 1.96% |
About CIEM
NA
About XEC
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF (XEC.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 XEC 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, XEC 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 XEC?
CIEM (CI Emerging Markets Alpha ETF C$ Series) and XEC (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($147M vs $4.61B), dividend yield (0.68% vs 1.63%), and year-to-date performance (+21.41% vs +18.75%).
Is CIEM better than XEC?
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 XEC on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both CIEM and XEC should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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