VS
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 provides Financials, Energy, and Utilities exposures, while XEI is primarily weighted in Energy, Financials, 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 20.94% year-to-date with +$1 B in net flows, whereas XEI is at 23.15% with +$581 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 | $8,000.17 M | $4,083.21 M |
| Management Fees | 0.20% | 0.20% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.22% | 0.22% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.03% | -0.52% |
Historical performance and flows
As of May 21, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VDY | +7.93% | +12.03% | +20.94% | +52.30% | +107.63% |
XEI | +7.65% | +11.69% | +23.15% | +47.95% | +83.29% | |
| Flows | VDY | +$330 M | +$759 M | +$1,229 M | +$2,192 M | +$3,230 M |
XEI | +$137 M | +$388 M | +$581 M | +$1,206 M | +$1,427 M |
VDY vs XEI exposure
Countries
VDY
Canada
99.51%
XEI
Canada
96.46%
Sectors
VDY
Financials
52.27%
Energy
31.07%
Other
16.66%
XEI
Energy
30.63%
Financials
28.55%
Utilities
13.11%
Communication Services
8.43%
Other
19.28%
As of May 21, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
VDY
ROYAL BK CANADA
14.07%
TORONTO DOMINION
9.76%
ENBRIDGE
7.35%
CDN NATURAL RESOURCE
6.20%
BANK OF MONTREAL
5.97%
CDN IMPERIAL BK
5.54%
BNS
5.38%
SUNCOR ENERGY
4.95%
TC ENERGY CORP
4.04%
MANULIFE-S
3.60%
XEI
SUNCOR ENERGY
5.68%
CDN NATURAL RESOURCE
5.16%
ENBRIDGE
5.05%
TC ENERGY CORP
4.96%
ROYAL BK CANADA
4.90%
TORONTO DOMINION
4.87%
NUTRIEN LTD
4.63%
BANK OF MONTREAL
3.95%
CDN IMPERIAL BK
3.63%
FORTIS
3.60%
Diversification
VDY
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 61 total
66.86%
XEI
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 75 total
46.43%
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 | 3.42% | 3.53% |
| 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 May 21, 2026, VDY has returned 20.94% year to date, while XEI has returned 23.15%. XEI is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VDY or XEI?
As of May 21, 2026, VDY manages $8.00 B in assets, while XEI manages $4.08 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 Financials, Energy, and Utilities. XEI is most exposed to Energy, Financials, and Utilities.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VDY or XEI?
Year to date, VDY has seen +$1,229.04 M in net flows, compared with +$580.52 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 BK CANADA, TORONTO DOMINION, and ENBRIDGE. XEI's top holdings include SUNCOR ENERGY, CDN NATURAL RESOURCE, and ENBRIDGE.
Which ETF is more diversified: VDY or XEI?
VDY holds 58 securities, while XEI holds 71. On holdings count, XEI is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about VDY and XEI
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.