A side-by-side comparison of iShares India 50 ETF (INDY) and First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF (NFTY) 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 | INDY | NFTY |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -5.47%✓ | -5.62% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.39%✓ | -0.88% |
| 1-Week Change | -2.16%✓ | -3.11% |
| 1-Month Change | -6.44% | -6.56%✓ |
| Current Price | $40.79 | $50.55 |
| AUM | $500M✓ | $102M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.89% | 0.8%✓ |
| Dividend Yield | 0.85% | 1.88%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | NA | — |
| Inception Date | 2009-11-18 | 2012-02-14 |
| Holdings Count | 49 | 47 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | India Equity | India Equity |
| Beta | 0.51 | 0.63 |
| 52-Week High | $50.12 | $59.60 |
| 52-Week Low | $40.66 | $49.62 |
| 50-Day MA | $43.11 | $53.65 |
| 200-Day MA | $44.59 | $54.53 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | INDY | NFTY |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -5.47%✓ | -5.62% |
| 1 Year | -12.47% | -8.06%✓ |
| 3 Year | -0.22% | +3.69%✓ |
| 5 Year | -0.70% | +2.92%✓ |
| 10 Year | +5.25% | +6.44%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 15.49% | 15.90% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | -0.12 | 0.18 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | HDFCBANK | HDFC Bank Limited | 10.59% |
| 2 | ICICIBANK | ICICI Bank Limited | 8.86% |
| 3 | RELIANCE | Reliance Industries Limited | 7.59% |
| 4 | BHARTIARTL | Bharti Airtel Limited | 5.15% |
| 5 | LT | Larsen & Toubro Limited | 4.20% |
| 6 | SBIN | State Bank of India | 3.82% |
| 7 | INFY | Infosys Limited | 3.41% |
| 8 | AXISBANK | Axis Bank Limited | 3.33% |
| 9 | KOTAKBANK | Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited | 2.92% |
| 10 | M&M | Mahindra & Mahindra Limited | 2.52% |
| 1 | ZOMATO | Zomato Limited | 2.66% |
| 2 | BAJAJ-AUTO | Bajaj Auto Limited | 2.33% |
| 3 | HCLTECH | HCL Technologies Limited | 2.32% |
| 4 | TITAN | Titan Company Limited | 2.30% |
| 5 | TECHM | Tech Mahindra Limited | 2.18% |
| 6 | APOLLOHOSP | Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited | 2.13% |
| 7 | JSWSTEEL | JSW Steel Limited | 2.12% |
| 8 | GRASIM | Grasim Industries Limited | 2.08% |
| 9 | BAJAJFINSV | Bajaj Finserv Limited | 2.03% |
| 10 | TCS | Tata Consultancy Services Limited | 2.02% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | INDY | NFTY |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 7.34% | 12.17% |
| Communication Services | 5.20% | 1.97% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 11.78% | 16.70% |
| Consumer Defensive | 5.57% | 7.62% |
| Energy | 10.47% | 7.88% |
| Financial Services | 36.40% | 21.60% |
| Healthcare | 4.86% | 10.03% |
| Industrials | 7.91% | 7.82% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 7.90% | 10.43% |
| Utilities | 2.58% | 3.77% |
About INDY
The underlying index measures the equity performance of the top 50 companies by free float market capitalization whose equity securities trade in the Indian securities markets. The fund generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of its underlying index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the component securities of its underlying index. The fund is non-diversified.
About NFTY
The fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in the securities that comprise the index. The index is designed to track the performance of the 50 largest and most liquid Indian securities listed on the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) by investing in all of the components of the NIFTY 50.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both INDY and NFTY 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, INDY 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 INDY and NFTY?
INDY (iShares India 50 ETF) and NFTY (First Trust India NIFTY 50 Equal Weight ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($500M vs $102M), dividend yield (0.85% vs 1.88%), and year-to-date performance (-5.47% vs -5.62%).
Is INDY better than NFTY?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, INDY has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy INDY and NFTY on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both INDY and NFTY should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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