A side-by-side comparison of iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI (XEF) and Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North Amer Idx ETF (VIU) 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 | XEF | VIU |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +10.81% | +15.71%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.35%✓ | +0.12% |
| 1-Week Change | -1.29%✓ | -1.66% |
| 1-Month Change | +4.05%✓ | +4.51% |
| Current Price | $51.85 | $50.30 |
| AUM | $21.84B✓ | $10.78B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.34%✓ | 2.23% |
| Distribution Frequency | Half-yearly | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2013-04-10 | 2015-12-01 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | International Equity | International Equity |
| Beta | 1.00 | 1.13 |
| 52-Week High | $52.66 | $51.56 |
| 52-Week Low | $41.10 | $37.53 |
| 50-Day MA | $50.94 | $49.48 |
| 200-Day MA | $48.40 | $45.56 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XEF | VIU |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +10.81% | +15.71%✓ |
| 1 Year | +24.00% | +32.97%✓ |
| 3 Year | +18.27% | +20.62%✓ |
| 5 Year | +10.94% | +12.04%✓ |
| 10 Year | +10.35% | +10.92%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 12.67% | 15.65% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.37 | 1.39 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | ASML | ASML Holding N.V. | 2.94% |
| 2 | IEFA | iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF | 2.90% |
| 3 | HSBA | HSBC Holdings PLC | 1.26% |
| 4 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 1.12% |
| 5 | NOVN | Novartis AG | 1.11% |
| 6 | AZN | AstraZeneca PLC | 1.09% |
| 7 | NESN | Nestle S.A. | 1.02% |
| 8 | SIE | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | 0.92% |
| 9 | SHEL | Shell plc | 0.84% |
| 10 | 8035 | Tokyo Electron Limited | 0.82% |
| 1 | 005930 | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 3.42% |
| 2 | 000660 | SK Hynix Inc | 2.89% |
| 3 | ASML | ASML Holding N.V. | 2.16% |
| 4 | HSBA | HSBC Holdings PLC | 1.11% |
| 5 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 1.02% |
| 6 | NOVN | Novartis AG | 1.00% |
| 7 | AZN | AstraZeneca PLC | 0.96% |
| 8 | NESN | Nestle S.A. | 0.90% |
| 9 | SHEL | Shell plc | 0.82% |
| 10 | SIE | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | 0.80% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XEF | VIU |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 6.57% | 6.44% |
| Communication Services | 4.68% | 3.81% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 8.29% | 7.98% |
| Consumer Defensive | 6.39% | 6.14% |
| Energy | 3.79% | 3.69% |
| Financial Services | 22.73% | 21.82% |
| Healthcare | 9.76% | 9.23% |
| Industrials | 19.50% | 20.17% |
| Real Estate | 2.87% | 2.88% |
| Technology | 11.84% | 14.43% |
| Utilities | 3.57% | 3.42% |
About XEF
iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI (XEF.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About VIU
NA
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both XEF and VIU 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, XEF 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 XEF and VIU?
XEF (iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI) and VIU (Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North Amer Idx ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($21.84B vs $10.78B), dividend yield (2.34% vs 2.23%), and year-to-date performance (+10.81% vs +15.71%).
Is XEF better than VIU?
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 XEF and VIU on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XEF and VIU 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