VS
Vanguard U.S. Dividend Appreciation Index ETF (VGH) and iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF (XMS) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that VGH focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Technology, Finance, and Healthcare, while XMS leans towards Technology, Finance, and Healthcare. When evaluating costs, VGH features a management fee (MER) of 0.28%, compared to 0.3% for XMS. Performance-wise, VGH has returned 9.62% year-to-date with +$26 M in net flows, whereas XMS is at 6.98% with +$2 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
VGH
XMS
| AuM | $1,043.30 M | $63.00 M |
| Management Fees | 0.28% | 0.30% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.32% | 0.33% |
| Tracking Difference | - | -0.32% |
Historical performance and flows
As of November 5, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VGH | +2.05% | -0.79% | +9.62% | +11.90% | +53.44% |
XMS | +2.97% | +1.81% | +6.98% | +8.67% | +35.56% | |
| Flows | VGH | +$1 M | +$4 M | +$26 M | +$40 M | +$185 M |
XMS | -$4 M | +$0 M | +$2 M | +$4 M | +$11 M |
VGH vs XMS exposure
Countries
VGH
USA
95.23%
XMS
USA
93.42%
Sectors
VGH
Technology
27.35%
Finance
19.41%
Healthcare
18.47%
Industrials
9.45%
Consumer Non-Cyclicals
8.93%
Other
16.39%
XMS
Technology
31.42%
Finance
14.50%
Healthcare
14.25%
Consumer Non-Cyclicals
10.67%
Other
29.15%
As of November 5, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
VGH
Microsoft Corp.
4.89%
Apple, Inc.
4.87%
Broadcom Inc.
4.29%
Eli Lilly & Co.
4.09%
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
3.88%
ExxonMobil Holdings Corp.
2.95%
Johnson & Johnson
2.82%
Visa, Inc.
2.52%
Walmart, Inc.
2.04%
AbbVie, Inc.
2.04%
XMS
CA46433S1083
99.99%
Diversification
VGH
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 333 total
34.39%
XMS
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 173 total
99.99%
Characteristics
Compare
VGH
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 | 1.07% | 1.09% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | August 2, 2013 | April 5, 2016 |
Frequently asked questions about VGH and XMS
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VGH or XMS?
As of November 5, 2026, VGH has returned 9.62% year to date, while XMS has returned 6.98%. VGH is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VGH or XMS?
As of November 5, 2026, VGH manages $1.04 B in assets, while XMS manages $63.00 M. VGH is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VGH and XMS managed?
VGH 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.
Which ETF is more diversified: VGH or XMS?
VGH holds 331 securities, while XMS holds 1. On holdings count, VGH is the more diversified portfolio.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VGH or XMS?
Year to date, VGH has seen +$25.62 M in net flows, compared with +$2.10 M for XMS. VGH has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VGH and XMS compare?
VGH has an expense ratio of 0.32%, while XMS has an expense ratio of 0.33%.
What sectors do VGH and XMS emphasize?
VGH is most exposed to Technology, Finance, and Healthcare. XMS is most exposed to Technology, Finance, and Healthcare.
Recent articles about VGH and XMS
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