A side-by-side comparison of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China (EMXC) and SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SEEM) 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 | SEEM |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -2.38%✓ | -2.56% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.26%✓ | -0.10% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.42%✓ | -1.08% |
| 1-Month Change | +1.35%✓ | -0.61% |
| Current Price | $99.34 | $38.74 |
| AUM | $25.91B✓ | $674M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.25%✓ | 0.6% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.96% | 2.61%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | — | — |
| Inception Date | 2017-07-18 | 2024-10-08 |
| Holdings Count | 542 | 49 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | — |
| Category | Diversified Emerging Mkts | Diversified Emerging Mkts |
| Beta | 1.22 | 0.00 |
| 52-Week High | $107.12 | $41.48 |
| 52-Week Low | $65.38 | $28.46 |
| 50-Day MA | $97.03 | $38.73 |
| 200-Day MA | $89.38 | $36.46 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | EMXC | SEEM |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -2.38%✓ | -2.56% |
| 1 Year | +54.56%✓ | +35.19% |
| 3 Year | +29.28% | — |
| 5 Year | +13.11% | — |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 28.34% | 25.32% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.11 | — |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | 2330 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 19.31% |
| 2 | 005930 | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 9.49% |
| 3 | 000660 | SK Hynix Inc | 7.27% |
| 4 | 2454 | MediaTek Inc | 2.24% |
| 5 | 005935 | Samsung Electronics Co Pref | 1.22% |
| 6 | 2308 | Delta Electronics Inc | 1.13% |
| 7 | 2317 | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd | 0.97% |
| 8 | HDFCBANK | HDFC Bank Limited | 0.86% |
| 9 | 402340 | SK Square Co Ltd | 0.77% |
| 10 | 3711 | ASE Industrial Holding Co Ltd | 0.73% |
| 1 | 2330 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 13.92% |
| 2 | SSNLF | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 7.03% |
| 3 | 000660 | SK Hynix Inc | 4.08% |
| 4 | 0700 | Tencent Holdings Ltd | 2.43% |
| 5 | 2454 | MediaTek Inc | 1.80% |
| 6 | 9988 | Alibaba Group Holding Ltd | 1.48% |
| 7 | 402340 | SK Square Co Ltd | 1.41% |
| 8 | 005935 | Samsung Electronics Co Pref | 1.35% |
| 9 | 9999 | NetEase Inc | 1.34% |
| 10 | PETR4 | Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras | 1.27% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | EMXC | SEEM |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 5.81% | 4.10% |
| Communication Services | 2.81% | 7.42% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 3.77% | 8.44% |
| Consumer Defensive | 2.31% | 4.66% |
| Energy | 3.46% | 4.35% |
| Financial Services | 18.61% | 18.16% |
| Healthcare | 1.93% | 3.68% |
| Industrials | 6.31% | 6.32% |
| Real Estate | 0.79% | 1.13% |
| Technology | 52.38% | 41.21% |
| Utilities | 1.81% | 0.51% |
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 SEEM
Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of emerging market issuers. The fund normally maintains investments in at least six emerging market countries, however, it may invest a substantial amount of its assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both EMXC and SEEM 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, EMXC 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 SEEM?
EMXC (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China) and SEEM (SEI Select Emerging Markets Equity ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($25.91B vs $674M), dividend yield (1.96% vs 2.61%), and year-to-date performance (-2.38% vs -2.56%).
Is EMXC better than SEEM?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, EMXC has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy EMXC and SEEM on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both EMXC and SEEM 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