A side-by-side comparison of iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF (ESGD) and Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund ETF Shares (VXUS) 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 | ESGD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -0.43%✓ | -1.52% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.97% | -0.59%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -1.56% | -1.32%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -3.21% | -2.59%✓ |
| Current Price | $102.05 | $84.46 |
| AUM | $12.03B | $165.14B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.2% | 0.05%✓ |
| Dividend Yield | 3.22%✓ | 2.51% |
| Distribution Frequency | NA | NA |
| Inception Date | 2016-06-28 | 2011-01-26 |
| Holdings Count | 330 | 48 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | Foreign Large Blend | Foreign Large Blend |
| Beta | 0.88 | 0.92 |
| 52-Week High | $108.00 | $88.46 |
| 52-Week Low | $87.40 | $70.26 |
| 50-Day MA | $105.55 | $86.35 |
| 200-Day MA | $101.40 | $82.54 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ESGD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -0.43%✓ | -1.52% |
| 1 Year | +18.36% | +22.19%✓ |
| 3 Year | +18.15% | +20.38%✓ |
| 5 Year | +8.67% | +9.23%✓ |
| 10 Year | +9.14% | +9.36%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 12.76% | 14.78% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.01 | 1.16 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | ASML | ASML Holding N.V. | 3.48% |
| 2 | HSBA | HSBC Holdings PLC | 1.55% |
| 3 | NOVN | Novartis AG | 1.44% |
| 4 | SIE | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | 1.20% |
| 5 | SAP | SAP SE | 1.18% |
| 6 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 1.13% |
| 7 | ISP | Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | 1.06% |
| 8 | SHEL | Shell plc | 1.06% |
| 9 | ABBN | ABB Ltd | 1.05% |
| 10 | ALV | Allianz SE VNA O.N. | 1.03% |
| 1 | 2330 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 3.97% |
| 2 | SSNLF | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 1.90% |
| 3 | 000660 | SK Hynix Inc | 1.46% |
| 4 | ASML | ASML Holding N.V. | 1.42% |
| 5 | 0700 | Tencent Holdings Ltd | 0.78% |
| 6 | HSBA | HSBC Holdings PLC | 0.76% |
| 7 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 0.67% |
| 8 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 0.62% |
| 9 | NOVN | Novartis AG | 0.62% |
| 10 | 9988 | Alibaba Group Holding Ltd | 0.59% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ESGD | VXUS |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 4.97% | 7.70% |
| Communication Services | 4.47% | 4.33% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 6.52% | 8.07% |
| Consumer Defensive | 6.46% | 4.77% |
| Energy | 4.13% | 4.76% |
| Financial Services | 27.35% | 23.29% |
| Healthcare | 9.80% | 6.89% |
| Industrials | 18.42% | 15.11% |
| Real Estate | 1.92% | 2.33% |
| Technology | 12.51% | 19.87% |
| Utilities | 3.45% | 2.89% |
About ESGD
The fund generally will invest at least 90% of its assets in the component securities of the underlying index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the component securities of the underlying index. The underlying index is composed of large- and mid-capitalization developed market equities, excluding the U.S. and Canada that have positive environmental, social and governance characteristics as identified by the index provider while exhibiting ri…
About VXUS
The manager employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index, a float-adjusted market-capitalization-weighted index designed to measure equity market performance of companies located in developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. The fund invests all, or substantially all, of its assets in the common stocks included in its target index.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ESGD and VXUS 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, ESGD 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 ESGD and VXUS?
ESGD (iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE ETF) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund ETF Shares) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($12.03B vs $165.14B), dividend yield (3.22% vs 2.51%), and year-to-date performance (-0.43% vs -1.52%).
Is ESGD better than VXUS?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, ESGD has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ESGD and VXUS on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ESGD and VXUS should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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