A side-by-side comparison of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China (EMXC) and Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (QYLD) 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 | EMXC | QYLD |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -13.47% | +0.28%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.60% | -0.51%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -1.89% | -1.01%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -10.20% | -5.84%✓ |
| Current Price | $88.05 | $17.59 |
| AUM | $24.27B✓ | $8.06B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.25%✓ | 0.59% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.23% | 5.93%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | — | — |
| Inception Date | 2017-07-18 | 2013-12-11 |
| Holdings Count | 539 | 99 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Unclassified | Unclassified |
| Beta | 1.28 | 0.47 |
| 52-Week High | $107.12 | $18.57 |
| 52-Week Low | $66.95 | $15.10 |
| 50-Day MA | $96.47 | $18.33 |
| 200-Day MA | $92.14 | $17.95 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | EMXC | QYLD |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -13.47% | +0.28%✓ |
| 1 Year | +22.40%✓ | +13.17% |
| 3 Year | +21.62%✓ | +15.00% |
| 5 Year | +9.71%✓ | +7.72% |
| 10 Year | +0.00% | +9.91%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 30.18% | 8.82% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.98 | 1.38 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | 2330 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 18.96% |
| 2 | 005930 | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 7.82% |
| 3 | 000660 | SK Hynix Inc | 5.30% |
| 4 | 2454 | MediaTek Inc | 1.78% |
| 5 | HDFCBANK | HDFC Bank Limited | 1.13% |
| 6 | 005935 | Samsung Electronics Co Pref | 1.05% |
| 7 | ICICIBANK | ICICI Bank Limited | 1.06% |
| 8 | 2317 | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd | 0.96% |
| 9 | RELIANCE | Reliance Industries Limited | 1.00% |
| 10 | BHARTIARTL | Bharti Airtel Limited | 0.77% |
| 1 | AAPL | Apple Inc. | 8.59% |
| 2 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 7.43% |
| 3 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 6.62% |
| 4 | AMZN | Amazon.com Inc | 4.69% |
| 5 | MU | Micron Technology Inc | 3.38% |
| 6 | AMD | Advanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.31% |
| 7 | TSLA | Tesla Inc | 3.10% |
| 8 | META | Meta Platforms Inc. | 3.28% |
| 9 | WMT | Walmart Inc. | 3.10% |
| 10 | GOOGL | Alphabet Inc Class A | 2.79% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | EMXC | QYLD |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 5.76% | 1.09% |
| Communication Services | 3.41% | 11.54% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 4.26% | 11.30% |
| Consumer Defensive | 2.51% | 6.75% |
| Energy | 3.85% | 0.42% |
| Financial Services | 21.68% | 0.22% |
| Healthcare | 2.21% | 5.20% |
| Industrials | 6.47% | 5.64% |
| Real Estate | 0.88% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 48.96% | 54.21% |
| Utilities | 1.96% | 1.16% |
About EMXC
The fund generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of the index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the component securities of its index. The index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that captures large- and mid-capitalization stocks across 23 of the 24 Emerging Markets countries, excluding China. The fund is non-diversified.
About QYLD
The fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in the securities of the underlying index. The CBOE NASDAQ-100® BuyWrite Index is a benchmark index that measures the performance of a theoretical portfolio that holds a portfolio of the stocks included in the NASDAQ-100® Index, and writes (or sells) a succession of one-month at-the-money NASDAQ-100® Index covered call options. It is non-diversified.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both EMXC and QYLD 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, QYLD 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 EMXC and QYLD?
EMXC (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China) and QYLD (Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($24.27B vs $8.06B), dividend yield (2.23% vs 5.93%), and year-to-date performance (-13.47% vs +0.28%).
Is EMXC better than QYLD?
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 EMXC and QYLD on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both EMXC and QYLD should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
Free newsletter · Every Saturday morning
The Saturday TSX Wrap
The week on the TSX, in five minutes.
- The biggest gainers and losers, and why they moved
- Sector and momentum moves at a glance
- The Canadian market stories you missed