VS
Harvest Canadian Equity Income Leaders ETF (HLIF) and iShares Core S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF (XEI) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that HLIF focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Financials, Energy, and Materials, while XEI leans towards Financials, Energy, and Utilities. When evaluating costs, HLIF features a management fee (MER) of 0.65%, compared to 0.2% for XEI. Performance-wise, HLIF has returned 17.13% year-to-date with +$21 M in net flows, whereas XEI is at 24.35% with +$612 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
HLIF
XEI
| AuM | $174.40 M | $4,154.81 M |
| Management Fees | 0.65% | 0.20% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.79% | 0.22% |
| Tracking Difference | - | -0.50% |
Historical performance and flows
As of June 12, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | HLIF | +3.12% | +9.47% | +17.13% | +37.51% | +76.17% |
XEI | +4.32% | +11.69% | +24.35% | +44.90% | +87.34% | |
| Flows | HLIF | +$7 M | +$12 M | +$21 M | +$18 M | +$31 M |
XEI | +$97 M | +$340 M | +$612 M | +$1,192 M | +$1,458 M |
HLIF vs XEI exposure
Countries
HLIF
Canada
93.00%
XEI
Canada
96.91%
Sectors
HLIF
Financials
33.20%
Energy
19.80%
Materials
10.50%
Other
10.30%
Utilities
9.80%
Other
16.40%
XEI
Financials
30.66%
Energy
29.96%
Utilities
12.63%
Communication Services
7.60%
Other
19.16%
As of June 12, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
HLIF
LUNDIN GOLD INC
3.60%
BARRICK GOLD
3.60%
MAGNA INTERNATIONAL
3.50%
POWER CORPORATION OF CANADA
3.40%
SUNCOR ENERGY
3.40%
TORONTO DOMINION
3.40%
IGM FINANCIAL
3.40%
CENOVUS ENERGY
3.40%
BNS
3.30%
MANULIFE-S
3.30%
XEI
SUNCOR ENERGY
5.54%
TORONTO DOMINION
5.28%
ROYAL BK CANADA
5.13%
TC ENERGY CORP
5.00%
ENBRIDGE
4.87%
CDN NATURAL RESOURCE
4.75%
NUTRIEN LTD
4.38%
BANK OF MONTREAL
4.18%
CDN IMPERIAL BK
4.03%
BNS
3.73%
Diversification
HLIF
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 28 total
34.30%
XEI
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 75 total
46.88%
Characteristics
Compare
HLIF
XEI
| Provider | Harvest Portfolios Group | iShares |
| Management | Actively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | - | S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | |
| Asset Class | Equity | Equity |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 6.00% | 3.49% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | June 13, 2022 | April 12, 2011 |
Frequently asked questions about HLIF and XEI
Which ETF has performed better year to date: HLIF or XEI?
As of June 12, 2026, HLIF has returned 17.13% year to date, while XEI has returned 24.35%. XEI is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: HLIF or XEI?
As of June 12, 2026, HLIF manages $174.40 M in assets, while XEI manages $4.15 B. XEI is the larger fund by AUM.
How are HLIF and XEI managed?
HLIF is actively managed by Harvest Portfolios Group. It does not track an index. XEI is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do HLIF and XEI emphasize?
HLIF is most exposed to Financials, Energy, and Materials. XEI is most exposed to Financials, Energy, and Utilities.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: HLIF or XEI?
Year to date, HLIF has seen +$21.14 M in net flows, compared with +$611.58 M for XEI. XEI has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of HLIF and XEI compare?
HLIF has an expense ratio of 0.79%, while XEI has an expense ratio of 0.22%.
What are the top holdings of HLIF and XEI?
HLIF's largest holdings include LUNDIN GOLD INC, BARRICK GOLD, and MAGNA INTERNATIONAL. XEI's top holdings include SUNCOR ENERGY, TORONTO DOMINION, and ROYAL BK CANADA.
Which ETF is more diversified: HLIF or XEI?
HLIF holds 28 securities, while XEI holds 71. On holdings count, XEI is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about HLIF 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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