VS
Vanguard U.S. Dividend Appreciation Index ETF (VGG) and iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF (XMS) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that VGG focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Technology, Finance, and Healthcare, while XMS leans towards Technology, Finance, and Healthcare. When evaluating costs, VGG features a management fee (MER) of 0.28%, compared to 0.3% for XMS. Performance-wise, VGG has returned 13.81% year-to-date with +$62 M in net flows, whereas XMS is at 8.36% with +$4 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
VGG
XMS
| AuM | $2,614.04 M | $65.87 M |
| Management Fees | 0.28% | 0.30% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.31% | 0.33% |
| Tracking Difference | - | 0.55% |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 23, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VGG | +2.32% | +2.19% | +13.81% | +13.38% | +70.19% |
XMS | +4.23% | +6.84% | +8.36% | +7.98% | +42.01% | |
| Flows | VGG | +$10 M | -$16 M | +$62 M | +$80 M | +$642 M |
XMS | -$2 M | +$0 M | +$4 M | +$6 M | +$13 M |
VGG vs XMS exposure
Countries
VGG
USA
95.30%
XMS
USA
93.04%
Sectors
VGG
Technology
26.27%
Finance
20.43%
Healthcare
18.15%
Industrials
9.45%
Consumer Non-Cyclicals
8.87%
Other
16.82%
XMS
Technology
30.24%
Finance
14.86%
Healthcare
14.02%
Consumer Non-Cyclicals
10.66%
Other
30.21%
As of October 23, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
VGG
Microsoft Corp.
4.67%
Apple, Inc.
4.50%
Broadcom Inc.
4.34%
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
4.07%
Eli Lilly & Co.
3.90%
ExxonMobil Holdings Corp.
2.84%
Johnson & Johnson
2.73%
Visa, Inc.
2.50%
Mastercard, Inc.
2.03%
Walmart, Inc.
1.96%
XMS
Microsoft Corp.
1.56%
Amphenol Corp.
1.51%
NVIDIA Corp.
1.51%
Motorola Solutions, Inc.
1.50%
Welltower, Inc.
1.49%
Verizon Communications, Inc.
1.45%
Johnson & Johnson
1.45%
Chubb Ltd.
1.45%
Merck & Co., Inc.
1.45%
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
1.43%
Diversification
VGG
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 333 total
33.53%
XMS
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 173 total
14.81%
Characteristics
Compare
VGG
XMS
| Provider | Vanguard | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index - USD | MSCI USA Minimum Volatility 100% Hedged to CAD Net Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Other | Other |
| Asset Class | Equity | Equity |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 1.04% | 1.08% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | August 2, 2013 | April 5, 2016 |
Frequently asked questions about VGG and XMS
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VGG or XMS?
As of October 23, 2026, VGG has returned 13.81% year to date, while XMS has returned 8.36%. VGG is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VGG or XMS?
As of October 23, 2026, VGG manages $2.61 B in assets, while XMS manages $65.87 M. VGG is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VGG and XMS managed?
VGG is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index - USD benchmark. XMS is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility 100% Hedged to CAD Net Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do VGG and XMS emphasize?
VGG is most exposed to Technology, Finance, and Healthcare. XMS is most exposed to Technology, Finance, and Healthcare.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VGG or XMS?
Year to date, VGG has seen +$61.89 M in net flows, compared with +$4.16 M for XMS. VGG has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VGG and XMS compare?
VGG has an expense ratio of 0.31%, while XMS has an expense ratio of 0.33%.
What are the top holdings of VGG and XMS?
VGG's largest holdings include Microsoft Corp., Apple, Inc., and Broadcom Inc.. XMS's top holdings include Microsoft Corp., Amphenol Corp., and NVIDIA Corp..
Which ETF is more diversified: VGG or XMS?
VGG holds 331 securities, while XMS holds 173. On holdings count, VGG is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about VGG and XMS
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