A side-by-side comparison of iShares MSCI China ETF (MCHI) and WisdomTree China ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund (CXSE) 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 | MCHI | CXSE |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -1.68%✓ | -10.06% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.15%✓ | -0.54% |
| 1-Week Change | -1.34%✓ | -3.27% |
| 1-Month Change | -4.23% | -6.98%✓ |
| Current Price | $52.11 | $34.94 |
| AUM | $6.08B✓ | $454M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.59% | 0.32%✓ |
| Dividend Yield | 2.00%✓ | 1.53% |
| Distribution Frequency | NA | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2011-03-29 | 2012-09-19 |
| Holdings Count | 577 | 49 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | Greater China Region | Greater China Region |
| Beta | 0.44 | 0.67 |
| 52-Week High | $65.58 | $44.41 |
| 52-Week Low | $49.88 | $34.80 |
| 50-Day MA | $54.40 | $37.60 |
| 200-Day MA | $56.95 | $39.31 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | MCHI | CXSE |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -1.68%✓ | -10.06% |
| 1 Year | -17.20% | -16.87%✓ |
| 3 Year | +9.38%✓ | +8.19% |
| 5 Year | -2.41%✓ | -6.29% |
| 10 Year | +2.56% | +4.19%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 18.03% | 18.23% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.32 | 0.26 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | 0700 | Tencent Holdings Ltd | 13.89% |
| 2 | 9988 | Alibaba Group Holding Ltd | 9.34% |
| 3 | 0939 | China Construction Bank Corp | 4.27% |
| 4 | 1398 | Industrial and Commercial Bank of China | 2.61% |
| 5 | 1810 | Xiaomi Corp | 2.25% |
| 6 | 3988 | Bank of China Ltd H | 2.11% |
| 7 | 3690 | Meituan | 1.85% |
| 8 | 9999 | NetEase Inc | 1.78% |
| 9 | 2318 | Ping An Insurance | 1.71% |
| 10 | PDD | PDD Holdings Inc. | 1.64% |
| 1 | 0700 | Tencent Holdings Ltd | 7.89% |
| 2 | 9988 | Alibaba Group Holding Ltd | 7.52% |
| 3 | 300750 | Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd Class A | 4.13% |
| 4 | 300308 | Shandong Zhongji Electrical Equipment Co Ltd | 3.71% |
| 5 | 601318 | Ping An Insurance Group Co of China Ltd | 2.51% |
| 6 | 300502 | Eoptolink Technology Inc Ltd | 2.39% |
| 7 | PDD | PDD Holdings Inc. | 1.97% |
| 8 | 1810 | Xiaomi Corp | 1.90% |
| 9 | 000333 | Midea Group Co Ltd | 1.76% |
| 10 | 3690 | Meituan | 1.68% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | MCHI | CXSE |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 5.33% | 2.86% |
| Communication Services | 18.15% | 12.63% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 22.80% | 24.36% |
| Consumer Defensive | 2.92% | 4.26% |
| Energy | 3.74% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 20.73% | 6.42% |
| Healthcare | 6.30% | 11.55% |
| Industrials | 4.84% | 11.10% |
| Real Estate | 1.46% | 0.86% |
| Technology | 12.13% | 25.72% |
| Utilities | 1.61% | 0.23% |
About MCHI
The fund generally will invest at least 80% 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 index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the performance of equity securities in the top 85% in market capitalization of the Chinese equity securities markets, as represented by the H-shares …
About CXSE
The fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets, plus any borrowings for investment purposes, in constituents of the index and/or investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially similar to the economic characteristics of such constituents. The index is a modified float-adjusted market cap weighted index that consists of common stocks in China, excluding common stocks of "state-owned enterprises. It is non-diversified.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both MCHI and CXSE 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, MCHI 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 MCHI and CXSE?
MCHI (iShares MSCI China ETF) and CXSE (WisdomTree China ex-State-Owned Enterprises Fund) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($6.08B vs $454M), dividend yield (2.00% vs 1.53%), and year-to-date performance (-1.68% vs -10.06%).
Is MCHI better than CXSE?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, MCHI has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy MCHI and CXSE on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both MCHI and CXSE should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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