A side-by-side comparison of Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North Amer Idx ETF (VIU) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XFH) 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 | VIU | XFH |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +14.58%✓ | +8.70% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.66% | -0.52%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -0.60%✓ | -1.07% |
| 1-Month Change | -0.40%✓ | -1.72% |
| Current Price | $49.81 | $41.72 |
| AUM | $11.77B✓ | $3.28B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.23%✓ | 2.07% |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Half-yearly |
| Inception Date | 2015-12-01 | 2015-02-10 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Category | International Equity | International Equity |
| Beta | 1.13 | 0.75 |
| 52-Week High | $51.35 | $43.38 |
| 52-Week Low | $40.11 | $35.33 |
| 50-Day MA | $50.19 | $42.46 |
| 200-Day MA | $47.69 | $40.78 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | VIU | XFH |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +14.58%✓ | +8.70% |
| 1 Year | +26.85%✓ | +20.68% |
| 3 Year | +22.60%✓ | +17.68% |
| 5 Year | +11.93%✓ | +11.87% |
| 10 Year | +10.18% | +10.97%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 15.96% | 9.58% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.40 | 1.56 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | 005930 | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 2.97% |
| 2 | 000660 | SK Hynix Inc. | 2.29% |
| 3 | ASML | ASML Holding N.V. | 2.20% |
| 4 | HSBA | HSBC Holdings PLC | 1.20% |
| 5 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 1.04% |
| 6 | NOVN | Novartis AG | 0.96% |
| 7 | SHEL | Shell plc | 0.86% |
| 8 | NESN | Nestle S.A. | 0.85% |
| 9 | 8306 | Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc | 0.85% |
| 10 | SIE | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | 0.82% |
| 1 | XEF | iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI | 99.90% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | VIU | XFH |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 6.22% | 6.57% |
| Communication Services | 3.91% | 4.73% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.86% | 7.83% |
| Consumer Defensive | 5.88% | 6.20% |
| Energy | 3.40% | 3.92% |
| Financial Services | 23.03% | 24.23% |
| Healthcare | 8.84% | 9.62% |
| Industrials | 18.80% | 19.50% |
| Real Estate | 2.54% | 2.65% |
| Technology | 16.43% | 11.35% |
| Utilities | 3.09% | 3.40% |
About VIU
NA
About XFH
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both VIU and XFH 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, VIU 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 VIU and XFH?
VIU (Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North Amer Idx ETF) and XFH (iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($11.77B vs $3.28B), dividend yield (2.23% vs 2.07%), and year-to-date performance (+14.58% vs +8.70%).
Is VIU better than XFH?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, VIU has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy VIU and XFH on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both VIU and XFH should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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