A side-by-side comparison of Russell Investments Real Assets ETF (RIRA) and iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF (XAW) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
CIBC Investor's Edge
Get 200 free trades when you open an eligible CIBC Investor's Edge account with promo code EDGE2026.
- ✓200 free stock & ETF trades
- ✓Unlimited commission-free trades on 180+ select ETFs
- ✓Offer ends September 30, 2026
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | RIRA | XAW |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +14.34%✓ | +11.27% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.05%✓ | +0.03% |
| 1-Week Change | 0.00%✓ | -1.58% |
| 1-Month Change | +1.46%✓ | -3.32% |
| Current Price | $21.53 | $57.34 |
| AUM | $4M | $4.36B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 3.53%✓ | 1.20% |
| Distribution Frequency | — | Half-yearly |
| Inception Date | 2020-01-22 | 2015-02-10 |
| Holdings Count | 7 | 6 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Category | Global Equity | Global Equity |
| Beta | 0.57 | 0.97 |
| 52-Week High | $21.59 | $59.31 |
| 52-Week Low | $17.13 | $45.82 |
| 50-Day MA | $21.31 | $57.78 |
| 200-Day MA | $20.16 | $53.67 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | RIRA | XAW |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +14.34%✓ | +11.27% |
| 1 Year | +24.15%✓ | +23.27% |
| 3 Year | +13.01% | +20.15%✓ |
| 5 Year | +7.33% | +12.87%✓ |
| 10 Year | — | +12.86% |
| 1Y Volatility | 9.27% | 10.44% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.92 | 1.63 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | DBC | Invesco DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund | 10.14% |
| 2 | VIST | Vista Oil Gas ADR | 0.59% |
| 3 | DAR | Darling Ingredients Inc | 0.57% |
| 4 | ALB | Albemarle Corp | 0.51% |
| 5 | BP | BP PLC | 0.51% |
| 6 | SQM | Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA ADR B | 0.44% |
| 7 | HBR | Harbour Energy PLC | 0.43% |
| 1 | IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 50.81% |
| 2 | XEF | iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI | 22.35% |
| 3 | XEC | Cimarex Energy Co | 13.21% |
| 4 | ITOT | iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | 8.24% |
| 5 | IJH | iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF | 3.35% |
| 6 | IJR | iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 1.99% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | RIRA | XAW |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 5.05% | 3.40% |
| Communication Services | 0.29% | 7.90% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.12% | 9.25% |
| Consumer Defensive | 1.00% | 4.80% |
| Energy | 15.39% | 3.40% |
| Financial Services | 0.46% | 15.78% |
| Healthcare | 0.06% | 8.62% |
| Industrials | 14.12% | 11.34% |
| Real Estate | 44.12% | 2.42% |
| Technology | 1.95% | 30.61% |
| Utilities | 17.44% | 2.48% |
About RIRA
NA
About XAW
NA
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both RIRA 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, RIRA 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 RIRA and XAW?
RIRA (Russell Investments Real Assets ETF) and XAW (iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($4M vs $4.36B), dividend yield (3.53% vs 1.20%), and year-to-date performance (+14.34% vs +11.27%).
Is RIRA better than XAW?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, RIRA has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy RIRA and XAW on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both RIRA and XAW should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
7 stocks to buy and hold forever
Complement your ETF portfolio with these proven long-term individual stocks.
Get the FREE Report