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Compare Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY) vs iShares Core S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF (XEI) to find the best fit for your portfolio. VDY and XEI provide the same top sector exposures: Finance, Energy, and Utilities. When evaluating costs, VDY features a management fee (MER) of 0.2%, compared to 0.2% for XEI. Performance-wise, VDY has returned 25.82% year-to-date with +$2 B in net flows, whereas XEI is at 24.92% with +$678 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
VDY
XEI
| AuM | $8,726.59 M | $4,228.57 M |
| Management Fees | 0.20% | 0.20% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.22% | 0.22% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.05% | -0.49% |
Historical performance and flows
As of July 8, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VDY | +3.50% | +13.34% | +25.82% | +52.11% | +119.88% |
XEI | +1.92% | +8.78% | +24.92% | +43.53% | +90.71% | |
| Flows | VDY | +$252 M | +$932 M | +$1,642 M | +$2,451 M | +$3,602 M |
XEI | +$70 M | +$327 M | +$678 M | +$1,202 M | +$1,503 M |
VDY vs XEI exposure
Countries
VDY
Canada
96.78%
XEI
Canada
92.80%
Other
7.20%
Sectors
VDY
Finance
57.97%
Energy
28.90%
Other
13.12%
XEI
Finance
37.88%
Energy
30.25%
Utilities
9.25%
Telecommunications
8.00%
Other
14.62%
As of July 8, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
VDY
Royal Bank of Canada
15.24%
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
10.91%
Enbridge, Inc.
6.79%
Bank of Montreal
6.53%
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
5.82%
The Bank of Nova Scotia
5.68%
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
5.27%
Suncor Energy, Inc.
4.27%
TC Energy Corp.
3.93%
Manulife Financial Corp.
3.64%
XEI
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
5.62%
Royal Bank of Canada
5.48%
Suncor Energy, Inc.
5.06%
TC Energy Corp.
4.97%
Enbridge, Inc.
4.82%
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
4.54%
Bank of Montreal
4.46%
Nutrien Ltd.
3.95%
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
3.94%
The Bank of Nova Scotia
3.85%
Diversification
VDY
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 61 total
68.08%
XEI
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 75 total
46.69%
Characteristics
Compare
VDY
XEI
| Provider | Vanguard | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | FTSE Canada High Dividend Yield Net Tax 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 | 3.04% | 3.44% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 2, 2012 | April 12, 2011 |
Frequently asked questions about VDY and XEI
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VDY or XEI?
As of July 8, 2026, VDY has returned 25.82% year to date, while XEI has returned 24.92%. VDY is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VDY or XEI?
As of July 8, 2026, VDY manages $8.73 B in assets, while XEI manages $4.23 B. VDY is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VDY and XEI managed?
VDY is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the FTSE Canada High Dividend Yield Net Tax 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 VDY and XEI emphasize?
VDY is most exposed to Finance, Energy, and Utilities. XEI is most exposed to Finance, Energy, and Utilities.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VDY or XEI?
Year to date, VDY has seen +$1,642.40 M in net flows, compared with +$678.29 M for XEI. VDY has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VDY and XEI compare?
VDY has an expense ratio of 0.22%, while XEI has an expense ratio of 0.22%.
What are the top holdings of VDY and XEI?
VDY's largest holdings include Royal Bank of Canada, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, and Enbridge, Inc.. XEI's top holdings include The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, and Suncor Energy, Inc..
Which ETF is more diversified: VDY or XEI?
VDY holds 61 securities, while XEI holds 75. On holdings count, XEI is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about VDY 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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