A side-by-side comparison of Vanguard US Total Market (VUN) and iShares Core S&P 500 (CAD Hedged) (XSP) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
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1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | VUN | XSP |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +13.18%✓ | +8.18% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.60% | -0.30%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +0.12%✓ | -1.13% |
| 1-Month Change | +3.15%✓ | -0.19% |
| Current Price | $141.93 | $75.41 |
| AUM | $18.35B✓ | $15.39B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.75% | 1.12%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Half-yearly |
| Inception Date | 2013-08-02 | 2001-05-24 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | US Equity | US Equity |
| Beta | 1.02 | 0.97 |
| 52-Week High | $143.44 | $76.96 |
| 52-Week Low | $110.02 | $61.84 |
| 50-Day MA | $135.09 | $74.07 |
| 200-Day MA | $127.60 | $70.34 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | VUN | XSP |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +13.18%✓ | +8.18% |
| 1 Year | +27.97%✓ | +21.53% |
| 3 Year | +22.32%✓ | +19.07% |
| 5 Year | +14.98%✓ | +11.69% |
| 10 Year | +15.52%✓ | +13.61% |
| 1Y Volatility | 11.75% | 13.06% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.48 | 1.27 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | VTI | Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF Shares | 100.00% |
| 1 | IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 99.90% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | VUN | XSP |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 2.15% | 1.70% |
| Communication Services | 9.65% | 10.42% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 9.96% | 9.58% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.98% | 4.69% |
| Energy | 4.20% | 3.28% |
| Financial Services | 12.49% | 11.57% |
| Healthcare | 10.17% | 8.80% |
| Industrials | 9.89% | 8.13% |
| Real Estate | 2.47% | 1.89% |
| Technology | 31.53% | 37.80% |
| Utilities | 2.51% | 2.14% |
About VUN
Vanguard U.S. Total Market Index ETF seeks to track, to the extent reasonably possible and before fees and expenses, the performance of a broad U.S. equity index that measures the investment returns of primarily large-capitalization U.S. stocks. Currently, this Vanguard ETF seeks to track the CRSP US Total Market Index (or any successor thereto). It invests directly or indirectly primarily in stocks of U.S. companies.
About XSP
iShares Core S&P 500 (CAD Hedged) (XSP.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both VUN and XSP 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, VUN 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 VUN and XSP?
VUN (Vanguard US Total Market) and XSP (iShares Core S&P 500 (CAD Hedged)) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($18.35B vs $15.39B), dividend yield (0.75% vs 1.12%), and year-to-date performance (+13.18% vs +8.18%).
Is VUN better than XSP?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, VUN has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy VUN and XSP on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both VUN and XSP should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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