VS
iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense Index ETF (XAD) and iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (XIC) 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 XIC leans towards Financials, Energy, and Materials. When evaluating costs, XAD features a management fee (MER) of 0.39%, compared to 0.05% for XIC. Performance-wise, XAD has returned 12.43% year-to-date with +$58 M in net flows, whereas XIC is at 10.34% with +$6 B. 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
XIC
| AuM | $180.95 M | $29,994.00 M |
| Management Fees | 0.39% | 0.05% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.43% | 0.06% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.83% | -0.11% |
Historical performance and flows
As of June 11, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XAD | +7.06% | +1.83% | +12.43% | +34.36% | - |
XIC | +1.77% | +5.27% | +10.34% | +33.79% | +89.23% | |
| Flows | XAD | -$7 M | +$0 M | +$58 M | +$114 M | - |
XIC | +$408 M | +$2,783 M | +$5,643 M | +$7,720 M | +$11,682 M |
XAD vs XIC exposure
Countries
XAD
USA
97.77%
XIC
Canada
99.06%
Sectors
XAD
Industrials
89.15%
Other
7.05%
XIC
Financials
29.96%
Energy
17.73%
Materials
14.57%
Other
13.30%
Other
24.44%
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%
XIC
ROYAL BK CANADA
7.02%
TORONTO DOMINION
5.05%
SHOPIFY SUBORDINATE VOTING
4.16%
ENBRIDGE
3.38%
BANK OF MONTREAL
3.00%
CDN IMPERIAL BK
2.89%
CA11271J1075
2.78%
CDN NATURAL RESOURCE
2.78%
BNS
2.68%
AGNICO EAGLE MINES LTD
2.63%
Diversification
XAD
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 44 total
74.20%
XIC
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 221 total
36.37%
Characteristics
Compare
XAD
XIC
| Provider | iShares | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index - CAD | S&P/TSX Capped Composite Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Equity | Equity |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 0.31% | 2.03% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | September 6, 2023 | February 16, 2001 |
Frequently asked questions about XAD and XIC
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XAD or XIC?
As of June 11, 2026, XAD has returned 12.43% year to date, while XIC has returned 10.34%. XAD is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XAD or XIC?
As of June 11, 2026, XAD manages $180.95 M in assets, while XIC manages $29.99 B. XIC is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XAD and XIC managed?
XAD is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index - CAD benchmark. XIC is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the S&P/TSX Capped Composite Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XAD and XIC emphasize?
XAD is most exposed to Industrials, Materials, and Consumer Discretionary. XIC is most exposed to Financials, Energy, and Materials.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XAD or XIC?
Year to date, XAD has seen +$57.68 M in net flows, compared with +$5,643.19 M for XIC. XIC has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XAD and XIC compare?
XAD has an expense ratio of 0.43%, while XIC has an expense ratio of 0.06%.
What are the top holdings of XAD and XIC?
XAD's largest holdings include GENERAL ELECTRIC, RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORD, and BOEING U. XIC's top holdings include ROYAL BK CANADA and TORONTO DOMINION.
Which ETF is more diversified: XAD or XIC?
XAD holds 36 securities, while XIC holds 193. On holdings count, XIC is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XAD and XIC
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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.