A side-by-side comparison of iShares NASDAQ 100 (CAD Hedged) (XQQ) 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 | XQQ | XSP |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +14.68%✓ | +8.36% |
| 1-Day Change | -1.86% | -0.71%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -1.45% | -0.26%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -0.75% | +1.22%✓ |
| Current Price | $71.25 | $75.54 |
| AUM | $5.43B | $15.39B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.21% | 1.14%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Half-yearly | Half-yearly |
| Inception Date | 2011-05-03 | 2001-05-24 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | US Equity | US Equity |
| Beta | 1.20 | 0.95 |
| 52-Week High | $74.95 | $76.65 |
| 52-Week Low | $55.94 | $62.99 |
| 50-Day MA | $71.85 | $75.08 |
| 200-Day MA | $64.97 | $70.86 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XQQ | XSP |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +14.68%✓ | +8.36% |
| 1 Year | +32.80%✓ | +21.53% |
| 3 Year | +24.46%✓ | +19.07% |
| 5 Year | +15.01%✓ | +11.69% |
| 10 Year | +19.86%✓ | +13.61% |
| 1Y Volatility | 19.83% | 13.06% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.28 | 1.27 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 7.59% |
| 2 | AAPL | Apple Inc. | 6.66% |
| 3 | MU | Micron Technology Inc | 5.64% |
| 4 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 4.35% |
| 5 | AMD | Advanced Micro Devices Inc | 4.10% |
| 6 | AMZN | Amazon.com Inc | 4.02% |
| 7 | TSLA | Tesla Inc | 3.29% |
| 8 | GOOGL | Alphabet Inc Class A | 3.26% |
| 9 | INTC | Intel Corporation | 3.04% |
| 10 | GOOG | Alphabet Inc Class C | 3.02% |
| 1 | IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 99.88% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XQQ | XSP |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 1.10% | 1.70% |
| Communication Services | 14.10% | 10.42% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 11.03% | 9.58% |
| Consumer Defensive | 7.06% | 4.69% |
| Energy | 0.55% | 3.28% |
| Financial Services | 0.17% | 11.57% |
| Healthcare | 3.80% | 8.80% |
| Industrials | 2.92% | 8.13% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 1.89% |
| Technology | 58.08% | 37.80% |
| Utilities | 1.18% | 2.14% |
About XQQ
iShares NASDAQ 100 (CAD Hedged) (XQQ.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
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 XQQ 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, XSP 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 XQQ and XSP?
XQQ (iShares NASDAQ 100 (CAD Hedged)) and XSP (iShares Core S&P 500 (CAD Hedged)) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($5.43B vs $15.39B), dividend yield (0.21% vs 1.14%), and year-to-date performance (+14.68% vs +8.36%).
Is XQQ better than XSP?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, XQQ has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy XQQ and XSP on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XQQ and XSP should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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