A side-by-side comparison of iShares NASDAQ 100 (CAD Hedged) (XQQ) and iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (XUS) 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 | XUS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +19.09%✓ | +12.89% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.19%✓ | -0.46% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.67% | +0.11%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +2.84%✓ | +2.53% |
| Current Price | $73.99 | $65.59 |
| AUM | $5.43B | $12.60B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.21% | 1.13%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Half-yearly | Half-yearly |
| Inception Date | 2011-05-03 | 2013-04-10 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | US Equity | US Equity |
| Beta | 1.21 | 0.98 |
| 52-Week High | $75.03 | $66.09 |
| 52-Week Low | $54.74 | $51.00 |
| 50-Day MA | $69.83 | $62.63 |
| 200-Day MA | $64.21 | $59.17 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XQQ | XUS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +19.09%✓ | +12.89% |
| 1 Year | +32.80%✓ | +27.61% |
| 3 Year | +24.46%✓ | +22.75% |
| 5 Year | +15.01% | +16.35%✓ |
| 10 Year | +19.86%✓ | +16.07% |
| 1Y Volatility | 19.83% | 11.45% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.28 | 1.56 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 8.15% |
| 2 | AAPL | Apple Inc | 7.28% |
| 3 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 5.31% |
| 4 | MU | Micron Technology Inc | 4.80% |
| 5 | AMZN | Amazon.com Inc | 4.62% |
| 6 | AMD | Advanced Micro Devices Inc | 3.69% |
| 7 | GOOGL | Alphabet Inc Class A | 3.52% |
| 8 | TSLA | Tesla Inc | 3.46% |
| 9 | AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 3.37% |
| 10 | GOOG | Alphabet Inc Class C | 3.25% |
| 1 | IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 99.95% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XQQ | XUS |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 1.10% | 1.69% |
| Communication Services | 14.10% | 10.41% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 11.03% | 9.53% |
| Consumer Defensive | 7.06% | 4.84% |
| Energy | 0.55% | 3.38% |
| Financial Services | 0.17% | 11.70% |
| Healthcare | 3.80% | 8.85% |
| Industrials | 2.92% | 7.97% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 1.92% |
| Technology | 58.08% | 37.54% |
| Utilities | 1.18% | 2.18% |
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 XUS
iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (XUS.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 XUS 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, XUS 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 XUS?
XQQ (iShares NASDAQ 100 (CAD Hedged)) and XUS (iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($5.43B vs $12.60B), dividend yield (0.21% vs 1.13%), and year-to-date performance (+19.09% vs +12.89%).
Is XQQ better than XUS?
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 XUS on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XQQ and XUS should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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