A side-by-side comparison of Evolve Future Leadership Hedged (LEAD) and iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF (XAW) 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 | LEAD | XAW |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -5.88% | +13.58%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.65% | +1.16%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -3.84% | -0.43%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +0.05%✓ | -1.50% |
| Current Price | $21.29 | $58.53 |
| AUM | $10M | $4.59B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.75% | 0%✓ |
| Dividend Yield | 11.47%✓ | 1.20% |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Half-yearly |
| Inception Date | 2020-09-10 | 2015-02-10 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 6 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Category | Global Equity | Global Equity |
| Beta | 1.24 | 0.97 |
| 52-Week High | $22.40 | $59.93 |
| 52-Week Low | $17.33 | $48.76 |
| 50-Day MA | $21.26 | $58.52 |
| 200-Day MA | $21.10 | $54.89 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | LEAD | XAW |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -5.88% | +13.58%✓ |
| 1 Year | +4.57% | +19.05%✓ |
| 3 Year | +22.09%✓ | +20.60% |
| 5 Year | +6.60% | +12.60%✓ |
| 10 Year | — | +12.91% |
| 1Y Volatility | 19.99% | 11.10% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.96 | 1.54 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | CRCL | Circle Internet Group, Inc. | 4.48% |
| 2 | ZS | Zscaler Inc | 4.19% |
| 3 | MSTR | MicroStrategy Incorporated | 4.03% |
| 4 | COIN | Coinbase Global Inc | 3.39% |
| 5 | LIFE | Evolve Global Healthcare Enhanced Yield Fund Hedged Units | 3.19% |
| 6 | SPCX | Space Exploration Technologies Corp. Class A Common Stock | 3.15% |
| 7 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 3.14% |
| 8 | CRWD | Crowdstrike Holdings Inc | 3.12% |
| 9 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 2.99% |
| 10 | VRTX | Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc | 2.95% |
| 1 | IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 51.17% |
| 2 | XEF | iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI | 22.69% |
| 3 | XEC | iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF | 12.78% |
| 4 | ITOT | iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | 8.25% |
| 5 | IJH | iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF | 3.20% |
| 6 | IJR | iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 1.90% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | LEAD | XAW |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 3.65% |
| Communication Services | 7.64% | 7.53% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 5.88% | 8.82% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 4.57% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 3.73% |
| Financial Services | 22.69% | 15.87% |
| Healthcare | 19.60% | 8.60% |
| Industrials | 3.35% | 11.11% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 2.29% |
| Technology | 40.83% | 31.48% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 2.36% |
About LEAD
The investment objective of LEAD is to seek to provide holders of Units with long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in a diversified mix of equity securities of companies located domestically or internationally that the Manager has determined are leaders in sectors that stand to benefit from medium and long term economic trends. The Manager will use a selection process that combines quantitative techniques, fundamental analysis and risk management. The Manager will also write cove…
About XAW
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both LEAD and XAW 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, XAW 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 LEAD and XAW?
LEAD (Evolve Future Leadership Hedged) and XAW (iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($10M vs $4.59B), dividend yield (11.47% vs 1.20%), and year-to-date performance (-5.88% vs +13.58%).
Is LEAD better than XAW?
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 LEAD and XAW on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both LEAD and XAW should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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