A side-by-side comparison of iShares Global Healthcare (CAD Hedged) (XHC) and Evolve Global Healthcare Enhanced Yield Fund Hedged Units (LIFE) 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 | XHC | LIFE |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -3.65%✓ | -12.44% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.76%✓ | -0.03% |
| 1-Week Change | -1.12% | -0.67%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -0.04%✓ | -1.77% |
| Current Price | $68.05 | $16.93 |
| AUM | $490M✓ | $254M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0%✓ | 0.45% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.94% | 13.45%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Half-yearly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2011-04-12 | 2017-10-23 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | Healthcare Equity | Healthcare Equity |
| Beta | 1.05 | 0.97 |
| 52-Week High | $73.02 | $18.92 |
| 52-Week Low | $59.35 | $15.88 |
| 50-Day MA | $67.32 | $17.12 |
| 200-Day MA | $68.58 | $18.50 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XHC | LIFE |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -3.65%✓ | -12.44% |
| 1 Year | +9.02%✓ | +3.01% |
| 3 Year | +4.16%✓ | +3.78% |
| 5 Year | +3.88% | +4.46%✓ |
| 10 Year | +7.51% | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 13.70% | 12.38% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.08 | 0.06 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | IXJ | iShares Global Healthcare ETF | 99.75% |
| 1 | NVO | Novo Nordisk A/S | 5.71% |
| 2 | ABBV | AbbVie Inc | 5.25% |
| 3 | BMY | Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | 5.17% |
| 4 | ISRG | Intuitive Surgical Inc | 5.08% |
| 5 | RHHBY | Roche Holding Ltd ADR | 5.08% |
| 6 | PFE | Pfizer Inc | 5.04% |
| 7 | SNY | Sanofi ADR | 5.03% |
| 8 | LLY | Eli Lilly and Company | 5.01% |
| 9 | AMGN | Amgen Inc | 4.99% |
| 10 | JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | 4.94% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XHC | LIFE |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 100.00% | 100.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About XHC
iShares Global Healthcare (CAD Hedged) (XHC.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About LIFE
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both XHC and LIFE 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, XHC 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 XHC and LIFE?
XHC (iShares Global Healthcare (CAD Hedged)) and LIFE (Evolve Global Healthcare Enhanced Yield Fund Hedged Units) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($490M vs $254M), dividend yield (1.94% vs 13.45%), and year-to-date performance (-3.65% vs -12.44%).
Is XHC better than LIFE?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, XHC has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy XHC and LIFE on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XHC and LIFE should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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