VS
iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense Index ETF (XAD) and iShares S&P Global Industrials Index ETF (XGI) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that XAD focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Industrials, Materials, and Consumer Discretionary, while XGI leans towards Industrials and Information Technology. When evaluating costs, XAD features a management fee (MER) of 0.39%, compared to 0.63% for XGI. Performance-wise, XAD has returned 12.43% year-to-date with +$58 M in net flows, whereas XGI is at 10.86% with +$10 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
XAD
XGI
| AuM | $180.95 M | $161.56 M |
| Management Fees | 0.39% | 0.63% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.43% | 0.66% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.83% | -0.97% |
Historical performance and flows
As of June 11, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XAD | +7.06% | +1.83% | +12.43% | +34.36% | - |
XGI | -0.92% | +2.49% | +10.86% | +21.18% | +67.77% | |
| Flows | XAD | -$7 M | +$0 M | +$58 M | +$114 M | - |
XGI | +$5 M | -$3 M | +$10 M | +$18 M | +$50 M |
XAD vs XGI exposure
Countries
XAD
USA
97.77%
XGI
USA
51.03%
Japan
13.80%
Other
35.17%
Sectors
XAD
Industrials
89.15%
Other
7.05%
XGI
Industrials
91.68%
Other
8.32%
As of June 11, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XAD
GENERAL ELECTRIC
19.42%
RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORD
15.09%
BOEING U
10.24%
GENERAL DYNAMICS
4.78%
HOWMET AEROSPACE INC
4.74%
TRANSDIGM GROUP
4.53%
L3 HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES
4.32%
LOCKHEED MARTIN
3.92%
NORTHROP GRUMMAN
3.88%
US7731211089
3.27%
XGI
CATERPILLAR
4.15%
GENERAL ELECTRIC
3.05%
US36828A1016
2.93%
RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORD
2.37%
SIEMENS
2.19%
BOEING U
1.80%
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SE
1.71%
EATON CORP PLC
1.69%
UNION PACIFIC U
1.60%
ABB
1.56%
Diversification
XAD
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 44 total
74.20%
XGI
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 213 total
23.05%
Characteristics
Compare
XAD
XGI
| Provider | iShares | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index - CAD | S&P Global 1200 Industrials CAD Hedged Net Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | |
| Asset Class | Equity | Equity |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 0.31% | 1.40% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | September 6, 2023 | March 26, 2013 |
Frequently asked questions about XAD and XGI
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XAD or XGI?
As of June 11, 2026, XAD has returned 12.43% year to date, while XGI has returned 10.86%. XAD is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XAD or XGI?
As of June 11, 2026, XAD manages $180.95 M in assets, while XGI manages $161.56 M. XAD is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XAD and XGI managed?
XAD is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index - CAD benchmark. XGI is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the S&P Global 1200 Industrials CAD Hedged Net Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XAD and XGI emphasize?
XAD is most exposed to Industrials, Materials, and Consumer Discretionary. XGI is most exposed to Industrials and Information Technology.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XAD or XGI?
Year to date, XAD has seen +$57.68 M in net flows, compared with +$10.02 M for XGI. XAD has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XAD and XGI compare?
XAD has an expense ratio of 0.43%, while XGI has an expense ratio of 0.66%.
What are the top holdings of XAD and XGI?
XAD's largest holdings include GENERAL ELECTRIC, RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORD, and BOEING U. XGI's top holdings include CATERPILLAR and GENERAL ELECTRIC.
Which ETF is more diversified: XAD or XGI?
XAD holds 36 securities, while XGI holds 197. On holdings count, XGI is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XAD and XGI
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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.