A side-by-side comparison of BMO MSCI USA ESG Leaders Index ETF (ESGY) and Vanguard US Total Market (VUN) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
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1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | ESGY | VUN |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +10.46% | +11.86%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.15%✓ | -0.17% |
| 1-Week Change | -1.48%✓ | -1.66% |
| 1-Month Change | +0.68%✓ | +1.03% |
| Current Price | $73.91 | $140.27 |
| AUM | $191M | $18.35B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.61% | 0.75%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | — | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2020-01-15 | 2013-08-02 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | US Equity | US Equity |
| Beta | 1.06 | 1.02 |
| 52-Week High | $75.31 | $143.14 |
| 52-Week Low | $59.06 | $111.24 |
| 50-Day MA | $72.12 | $136.37 |
| 200-Day MA | $67.85 | $128.10 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ESGY | VUN |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +10.46% | +11.86%✓ |
| 1 Year | +28.23%✓ | +27.97% |
| 3 Year | +23.18%✓ | +22.32% |
| 5 Year | +16.39%✓ | +14.98% |
| 10 Year | — | +15.52% |
| 1Y Volatility | 13.18% | 11.75% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.43 | 1.48 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 15.32% |
| 2 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 8.62% |
| 3 | GOOGL | Alphabet Inc Class A | 6.64% |
| 4 | GOOG | Alphabet Inc Class C | 5.50% |
| 5 | TSLA | Tesla Inc | 3.60% |
| 6 | LLY | Eli Lilly and Company | 2.51% |
| 7 | AMD | Advanced Micro Devices Inc | 2.41% |
| 8 | INTC | Intel Corporation | 1.64% |
| 9 | JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | 1.63% |
| 10 | V | Visa Inc. Class A | 1.62% |
| 1 | VTI | Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF Shares | 100.00% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ESGY | VUN |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 2.00% | 2.15% |
| Communication Services | 14.34% | 9.65% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 8.39% | 9.96% |
| Consumer Defensive | 3.97% | 4.98% |
| Energy | 1.94% | 4.20% |
| Financial Services | 9.94% | 12.49% |
| Healthcare | 9.33% | 10.17% |
| Industrials | 7.71% | 9.89% |
| Real Estate | 2.10% | 2.47% |
| Technology | 39.32% | 31.53% |
| Utilities | 0.96% | 2.51% |
About ESGY
NA
About VUN
Vanguard U.S. Total Market Index ETF seeks to track, to the extent reasonably possible and before fees and expenses, the performance of a broad U.S. equity index that measures the investment returns of primarily large-capitalization U.S. stocks. Currently, this Vanguard ETF seeks to track the CRSP US Total Market Index (or any successor thereto). It invests directly or indirectly primarily in stocks of U.S. companies.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ESGY and VUN 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, VUN 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 ESGY and VUN?
ESGY (BMO MSCI USA ESG Leaders Index ETF) and VUN (Vanguard US Total Market) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($191M vs $18.35B), dividend yield (0.61% vs 0.75%), and year-to-date performance (+10.46% vs +11.86%).
Is ESGY better than VUN?
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 ESGY and VUN on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ESGY and VUN should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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