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Compare iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index ETF (CDZ) vs iShares Core S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF (XEI) to find the best fit for your portfolio. CDZ provides Finance, Energy, and Industrials exposures, while XEI is primarily weighted in Finance, Energy, and Utilities. When evaluating costs, CDZ features a management fee (MER) of 0.6%, compared to 0.2% for XEI. Performance-wise, CDZ has returned 18.2% year-to-date with +$11 M in net flows, whereas XEI is at 28.34% with +$735 M. Use the comparison tool below to benchmark these funds across top 10 holdings, yield, sector weights and historical returns.
NAV Performance and Flows
Key Data
Compare
CDZ
XEI
| AuM | $1,278.19 M | $4,389.39 M |
| Management Fees | 0.60% | 0.20% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.66% | 0.22% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.94% | -0.49% |
Historical performance and flows
As of July 29, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | CDZ | +3.17% | +9.03% | +18.20% | +27.97% | +75.14% |
XEI | +4.27% | +9.91% | +28.34% | +44.96% | +90.60% | |
| Flows | CDZ | +$5 M | +$18 M | +$11 M | +$45 M | -$94 M |
XEI | +$80 M | +$273 M | +$735 M | +$1,192 M | +$1,611 M |
CDZ vs XEI exposure
Countries
CDZ
Canada
97.30%
XEI
Canada
92.60%
Other
7.40%
Sectors
CDZ
Finance
29.34%
Energy
18.40%
Industrials
14.54%
Utilities
9.33%
Consumer Non-Cyclicals
7.21%
Telecommunications
7.08%
Other
14.10%
XEI
Finance
37.99%
Energy
28.67%
Utilities
9.96%
Telecommunications
7.34%
Other
16.05%
As of July 29, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
CDZ
South Bow Corp.
3.16%
Westshore Terminals Investment Corp.
2.48%
Gibson Energy, Inc.
2.47%
TELUS Corp.
2.42%
Mullen Group Ltd.
2.25%
Enbridge, Inc.
2.24%
Pembina Pipeline Corp.
2.12%
CT Real Estate Investment Trust
2.03%
Capital Power Corp.
1.93%
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
1.84%
XEI
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
5.41%
Royal Bank of Canada
5.33%
Enbridge, Inc.
4.88%
TC Energy Corp.
4.67%
Bank of Montreal
4.58%
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
4.42%
Suncor Energy, Inc.
4.30%
The Bank of Nova Scotia
3.95%
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
3.92%
Nutrien Ltd.
3.85%
Diversification
CDZ
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 96 total
22.95%
XEI
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 75 total
45.31%
Characteristics
Compare
CDZ
XEI
| Provider | iShares | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Total Return Index - CAD | S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Equity | Equity |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 2.93% | 3.36% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | September 8, 2006 | April 12, 2011 |
Frequently asked questions about CDZ and XEI
Which ETF has performed better year to date: CDZ or XEI?
As of July 29, 2026, CDZ has returned 18.20% year to date, while XEI has returned 28.34%. XEI is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: CDZ or XEI?
As of July 29, 2026, CDZ manages $1.28 B in assets, while XEI manages $4.39 B. XEI is the larger fund by AUM.
How are CDZ and XEI managed?
CDZ is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Total Return Index - CAD benchmark. XEI is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do CDZ and XEI emphasize?
CDZ is most exposed to Finance, Energy, and Industrials. XEI is most exposed to Finance, Energy, and Utilities.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: CDZ or XEI?
Year to date, CDZ has seen +$10.75 M in net flows, compared with +$734.85 M for XEI. XEI has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of CDZ and XEI compare?
CDZ has an expense ratio of 0.66%, while XEI has an expense ratio of 0.22%.
What are the top holdings of CDZ and XEI?
CDZ's largest holdings include South Bow Corp., Westshore Terminals Investment Corp., and Gibson Energy, Inc.. XEI's top holdings include The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, and Enbridge, Inc..
Which ETF is more diversified: CDZ or XEI?
CDZ holds 96 securities, while XEI holds 75. On holdings count, CDZ is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about CDZ and XEI
ETF Comparison: VDY vs XEI
Sector exposure, diversification, and tracking efficiency separate these two dividend ETF heavyweights.
Posted on 6/1/2026 by Kyle Anthony inDividends
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