A side-by-side comparison of iShares MSCI World Index ETF (XWD) and iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF (XAW) 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 | XWD | XAW |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +11.79% | +12.79%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.89% | -0.72%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -2.77% | -2.61%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -0.05%✓ | -0.17% |
| Current Price | $122.69 | $58.12 |
| AUM | $1.80B | $4.51B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.20% | 1.22%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Half-yearly | Half-yearly |
| Inception Date | 2009-06-18 | 2015-02-10 |
| Holdings Count | 4 | 6 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Category | Global Equity | Global Equity |
| Beta | 0.94 | 0.97 |
| 52-Week High | $126.76 | $59.93 |
| 52-Week Low | $101.20 | $47.13 |
| 50-Day MA | $123.12 | $58.47 |
| 200-Day MA | $114.91 | $54.46 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XWD | XAW |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +11.79% | +12.79%✓ |
| 1 Year | +20.22% | +21.31%✓ |
| 3 Year | +21.16% | +21.35%✓ |
| 5 Year | +13.13%✓ | +12.56% |
| 10 Year | +13.34%✓ | +12.83% |
| 1Y Volatility | 9.94% | 11.10% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.51 | 1.47 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 71.75% |
| 2 | EFA | iShares MSCI EAFE ETF | 24.64% |
| 3 | XIU | iShares S&P/TSX 60 | 3.50% |
| 4 | SPCX | Space Exploration Technologies Corp. Class A Common Stock | 0.06% |
| 1 | IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 51.19% |
| 2 | XEF | iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI | 22.82% |
| 3 | XEC | iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF | 12.45% |
| 4 | ITOT | iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | 8.26% |
| 5 | IJH | iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF | 3.28% |
| 6 | IJR | iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF | 1.96% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XWD | XAW |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 3.04% | 3.50% |
| Communication Services | 8.01% | 7.45% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 8.60% | 9.06% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.94% | 4.64% |
| Energy | 4.03% | 3.64% |
| Financial Services | 16.48% | 15.79% |
| Healthcare | 9.14% | 8.74% |
| Industrials | 10.89% | 11.46% |
| Real Estate | 1.71% | 2.31% |
| Technology | 30.70% | 31.05% |
| Utilities | 2.45% | 2.36% |
About XWD
iShares MSCI World Index ETF (XWD.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About XAW
NA
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both XWD and XAW 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, XAW 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 XWD and XAW?
XWD (iShares MSCI World Index ETF) and XAW (iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($1.80B vs $4.51B), dividend yield (1.20% vs 1.22%), and year-to-date performance (+11.79% vs +12.79%).
Is XWD better than XAW?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy XWD and XAW on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XWD and XAW should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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