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iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Index ETF (XAW.U) and iShares MSCI World Index ETF (XWD) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that XAW.U focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Technology, Finance, and Industrials, while XWD leans towards Technology, Finance, and Industrials. When evaluating costs, XAW.U features a management fee (MER) of 0.2%, compared to 0.44% for XWD. Performance-wise, XAW.U has returned 13.16% year-to-date with +$8 M in net flows, whereas XWD is at 14.18% with +$107 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
XAW.U
XWD
| AuM | $25.47 M | $1,790.47 M |
| Management Fees | 0.20% | 0.44% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.22% | 0.48% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 18, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XAW.U | -0.83% | +0.52% | +13.16% | +17.23% | +71.44% |
XWD | -0.17% | +0.97% | +14.18% | +17.67% | +77.20% | |
| Flows | XAW.U | +$1 M | +$3 M | +$8 M | +$8 M | +$11 M |
XWD | +$30 M | +$55 M | +$107 M | +$167 M | +$326 M |
XAW.U vs XWD exposure
Countries
XAW.U
USA
62.99%
Other
37.01%
XWD
USA
69.85%
Other
30.15%
Sectors
XAW.U
Technology
34.50%
Finance
18.74%
Industrials
10.13%
Healthcare
8.51%
Consumer Non-Cyclicals
8.22%
Other
19.89%
XWD
Technology
35.11%
Finance
18.67%
Industrials
9.80%
Healthcare
8.91%
Consumer Non-Cyclicals
8.58%
Other
18.93%
As of September 18, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XAW.U
Apple, Inc.
4.46%
NVIDIA Corp.
4.30%
Microsoft Corp.
3.05%
Amazon.com, Inc.
2.10%
Alphabet, Inc.
1.78%
Broadcom Inc.
1.67%
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
1.62%
Alphabet, Inc.
1.44%
Meta Platforms, Inc.
1.08%
Micron Technology, Inc.
0.90%
XWD
Apple, Inc.
5.46%
NVIDIA Corp.
5.27%
Microsoft Corp.
3.74%
Amazon.com, Inc.
2.57%
Alphabet, Inc.
2.18%
Broadcom Inc.
2.05%
Alphabet, Inc.
1.76%
Meta Platforms, Inc.
1.32%
Micron Technology, Inc.
1.10%
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
1.05%
Diversification
XAW.U
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 8,085 total
22.39%
XWD
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,238 total
26.51%
Characteristics
Compare
XAW.U
XWD
| Provider | iShares | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | MSCI ACWI ex Canada IMI Net Total Return Index - CAD | MSCI World Daily Total Return Net Index - USD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Equity | Equity |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 1.21% | 1.19% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | October 22, 2019 | June 18, 2009 |
Frequently asked questions about XAW.U and XWD
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XAW.U or XWD?
As of September 18, 2026, XAW.U has returned 13.16% year to date, while XWD has returned 14.18%. XWD is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XAW.U or XWD?
As of September 18, 2026, XAW.U manages $25.47 M in assets, while XWD manages $1.79 B. XWD is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XAW.U and XWD managed?
XAW.U is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the MSCI ACWI ex Canada IMI Net Total Return Index - CAD benchmark. XWD is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the MSCI World Daily Total Return Net Index - USD benchmark.
What sectors do XAW.U and XWD emphasize?
XAW.U is most exposed to Technology, Finance, and Industrials. XWD is most exposed to Technology, Finance, and Industrials.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XAW.U or XWD?
Year to date, XAW.U has seen +$8.23 M in net flows, compared with +$106.85 M for XWD. XWD has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XAW.U and XWD compare?
XAW.U has an expense ratio of 0.22%, while XWD has an expense ratio of 0.48%.
What are the top holdings of XAW.U and XWD?
XAW.U's largest holdings include Apple, Inc., NVIDIA Corp., and Alphabet, Inc.. XWD's top holdings include Apple, Inc., NVIDIA Corp., and Alphabet, Inc..
Which ETF is more diversified: XAW.U or XWD?
XAW.U holds 7986 securities, while XWD holds 1227. On holdings count, XAW.U is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XAW.U and XWD
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