VS
Harvest Canadian Dividend Leaders Income 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 Finance, Energy, and Utilities, while XEI leans towards Finance, 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 21.29% year-to-date with +$38 M in net flows, whereas XEI is at 28.77% 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
HLIF
XEI
| AuM | $196.18 M | $4,403.90 M |
| Management Fees | 0.65% | 0.20% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.79% | 0.22% |
| Tracking Difference | - | -0.49% |
Historical performance and flows
As of July 30, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | HLIF | +4.20% | +8.23% | +21.29% | +37.67% | +78.03% |
XEI | +4.87% | +8.43% | +28.77% | +45.71% | +91.23% | |
| Flows | HLIF | +$12 M | +$26 M | +$38 M | +$42 M | +$47 M |
XEI | +$72 M | +$273 M | +$735 M | +$1,186 M | +$1,611 M |
HLIF vs XEI exposure
Countries
HLIF
Canada
89.35%
USA
9.90%
XEI
Canada
92.60%
Other
7.40%
Sectors
HLIF
Finance
40.26%
Energy
22.79%
Utilities
13.30%
Other
23.64%
XEI
Finance
37.99%
Energy
28.67%
Utilities
9.96%
Telecommunications
7.34%
Other
16.05%
As of July 30, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
HLIF
Thomson Reuters Corp.
3.55%
Royal Bank of Canada
3.40%
Bank of Montreal
3.40%
Emera, Inc.
3.40%
Restaurant Brands International, Inc.
3.38%
IGM Financial, Inc.
3.38%
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
3.38%
Nutrien Ltd.
3.37%
Great-West Lifeco, Inc.
3.37%
National Bank of Canada
3.36%
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
HLIF
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 30 total
34.00%
XEI
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 75 total
45.31%
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 | 5.92% | 3.35% |
| 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 July 30, 2026, HLIF has returned 21.29% year to date, while XEI has returned 28.77%. XEI is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: HLIF or XEI?
As of July 30, 2026, HLIF manages $196.18 M in assets, while XEI manages $4.40 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 Finance, Energy, and Utilities. XEI is most exposed to Finance, Energy, and Utilities.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: HLIF or XEI?
Year to date, HLIF has seen +$37.53 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 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 Thomson Reuters Corp., Royal Bank of Canada, and Bank of Montreal. XEI's top holdings include The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, and Enbridge, Inc..
Which ETF is more diversified: HLIF or XEI?
HLIF holds 30 securities, while XEI holds 75. 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
The ETF Market Canada is brought to you by Cboe in partnership with Trackinsight SA who is providing all the data, analysis and editorial content on this site. Unless explicitly stated as such, any information that you receive is not real-time.
All content on the ETF Market Canada is for your general information use only, Cboe is not responsible for any use of content by you outside this scope. In particular, the content does not constitute any form of advice, recommendation, representation, endorsement or arrangement by Cboe and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making (or refraining from making) any specific investment or other decisions.
All content on the ETF Market Canada is for your general information use only, Cboe is not responsible for any use of content by you outside this scope. In particular, the content does not constitute any form of advice, recommendation, representation, endorsement or arrangement by Cboe and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making (or refraining from making) any specific investment or other decisions.