A side-by-side comparison of iShares ESG Aware MSCI Canada Index ETF (XESG) and iShares ESG Advanced MSCI Canada Index ETF (XCSR) 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 | XESG | XCSR |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +12.06%✓ | +9.86% |
| 1-Day Change | -1.23% | -1.11%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -1.36%✓ | -2.01% |
| 1-Month Change | -2.34% | -4.04%✓ |
| Current Price | $43.39 | $112.17 |
| AUM | $645M✓ | $539M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.84%✓ | 1.60% |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2019-03-18 | 2020-04-15 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | Canadian Equity | Canadian Equity |
| Beta | 1.00 | 1.10 |
| 52-Week High | $45.14 | $119.38 |
| 52-Week Low | $36.23 | $91.32 |
| 50-Day MA | $43.63 | $114.02 |
| 200-Day MA | $41.17 | $106.18 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XESG | XCSR |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +12.06%✓ | +9.86% |
| 1 Year | +23.90%✓ | +23.02% |
| 3 Year | +24.06% | +27.50%✓ |
| 5 Year | +14.13% | +14.40%✓ |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 10.33% | 11.79% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.79 | 1.76 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 8.13% |
| 2 | TD | Toronto Dominion Bank | 5.93% |
| 3 | SHOP | Shopify Inc | 4.85% |
| 4 | BNS | Bank of Nova Scotia | 3.88% |
| 5 | ENB | Enbridge Inc | 3.76% |
| 6 | CM | Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce | 3.34% |
| 7 | WPM | Wheaton Precious Metals Corp | 3.00% |
| 8 | BMO | Bank of Montreal | 2.94% |
| 9 | CNQ | Canadian Natural Resources Ltd | 2.90% |
| 10 | AEM | Agnico Eagle Mines Limited | 2.86% |
| 1 | TD | Toronto Dominion Bank | 10.23% |
| 2 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 9.86% |
| 3 | SHOP | Shopify Inc | 9.26% |
| 4 | BMO | Bank of Montreal | 6.04% |
| 5 | BNS | Bank of Nova Scotia | 5.81% |
| 6 | CM | Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce | 5.37% |
| 7 | WPM | Wheaton Precious Metals Corp | 3.55% |
| 8 | NA | National Bank of Canada | 3.07% |
| 9 | CSU | Constellation Software Inc. | 2.36% |
| 10 | SLF | Sun Life Financial Inc. | 2.27% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XESG | XCSR |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 20.60% | 18.60% |
| Communication Services | 0.22% | 1.36% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 2.76% | 2.69% |
| Consumer Defensive | 1.34% | 5.23% |
| Energy | 18.08% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 38.09% | 50.84% |
| Healthcare | 0.05% | 0.20% |
| Industrials | 7.70% | 4.82% |
| Real Estate | 0.79% | 1.28% |
| Technology | 8.00% | 14.10% |
| Utilities | 2.38% | 0.88% |
About XESG
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About XCSR
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both XESG and XCSR 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, XESG 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 XESG and XCSR?
XESG (iShares ESG Aware MSCI Canada Index ETF) and XCSR (iShares ESG Advanced MSCI Canada Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($645M vs $539M), dividend yield (1.84% vs 1.60%), and year-to-date performance (+12.06% vs +9.86%).
Is XESG better than XCSR?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, XESG has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy XESG and XCSR on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XESG and XCSR should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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