A side-by-side comparison of iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index ETF (XEMC) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF (XEC) 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 | XEMC | XEC |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +35.33%✓ | +21.22% |
| 1-Day Change | +5.38%✓ | +4.51% |
| 1-Week Change | -2.09% | -1.86%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +7.13%✓ | +4.02% |
| Current Price | $82.05 | $44.73 |
| AUM | $115M | $4.50B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.77%✓ | 1.54% |
| Distribution Frequency | Half-yearly | Half-yearly |
| Inception Date | 2023-02-07 | 2013-04-10 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 9 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | Emerging Markets Equity | Emerging Markets Equity |
| Beta | 0.99 | 0.99 |
| 52-Week High | $85.41 | $46.42 |
| 52-Week Low | $48.12 | $30.00 |
| 50-Day MA | $75.67 | $42.42 |
| 200-Day MA | $64.53 | $38.29 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XEMC | XEC |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +35.33%✓ | +21.22% |
| 1 Year | +67.00%✓ | +41.84% |
| 3 Year | +28.49%✓ | +21.67% |
| 5 Year | — | +8.62% |
| 10 Year | — | +9.91% |
| 1Y Volatility | 22.14% | 20.34% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.45 | 1.31 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | EMXC | iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China | 99.95% |
| 1 | 2330 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 12.83% |
| 2 | 005930 | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 6.82% |
| 3 | 000660 | SK Hynix Inc | 5.92% |
| 4 | IEMG | iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 2.49% |
| 5 | 0700 | Tencent Holdings Ltd | 2.33% |
| 6 | 9988 | Alibaba Group Holding Ltd | 1.79% |
| 7 | 2454 | MediaTek Inc | 1.38% |
| 8 | 2308 | Delta Electronics Inc | 1.05% |
| 9 | 2317 | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd | 0.77% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XEMC | XEC |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 5.86% | 6.15% |
| Communication Services | 3.13% | 5.90% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 4.19% | 8.70% |
| Consumer Defensive | 2.51% | 2.76% |
| Energy | 3.47% | 3.21% |
| Financial Services | 18.19% | 16.39% |
| Healthcare | 1.82% | 3.13% |
| Industrials | 6.66% | 7.73% |
| Real Estate | 0.83% | 1.51% |
| Technology | 51.42% | 42.64% |
| Utilities | 1.92% | 1.89% |
About XEMC
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index ETF (XEMC.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About XEC
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF (XEC.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 XEMC and XEC 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, XEMC 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 XEMC and XEC?
XEMC (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index ETF) and XEC (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($115M vs $4.50B), dividend yield (1.77% vs 1.54%), and year-to-date performance (+35.33% vs +21.22%).
Is XEMC better than XEC?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, XEMC has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy XEMC and XEC on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XEMC and XEC should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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