VS
Compare iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF) vs iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF.U) to find the best fit for your portfolio. XEF and XEF.U provide the same top sector exposures: Finance, Industrials, and Technology. When evaluating costs, XEF features a management fee (MER) of 0.2%, compared to 0.2% for XEF.U. Performance-wise, XEF has returned 13.94% year-to-date with +$6 B in net flows, whereas XEF.U is at 9.66% with +$49 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
XEF
XEF.U
| AuM | $24,274.44 M | $181.39 M |
| Management Fees | 0.20% | 0.20% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.22% | 0.22% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.04% | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 5, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XEF | -0.84% | -1.20% | +13.94% | +14.85% | +74.91% |
XEF.U | -4.07% | -1.34% | +9.66% | +12.52% | +68.66% | |
| Flows | XEF | +$622 M | +$1,703 M | +$5,587 M | +$7,050 M | +$12,298 M |
XEF.U | +$4 M | +$14 M | +$49 M | +$59 M | +$129 M |
XEF vs XEF.U exposure
Countries
XEF
Japan
25.51%
United Kingdom
13.48%
Switzerland
9.02%
Germany
8.08%
France
7.95%
Australia
7.12%
Other
28.84%
XEF.U
Japan
25.51%
United Kingdom
13.48%
Switzerland
9.02%
Germany
8.08%
France
7.95%
Australia
7.12%
Other
28.84%
Sectors
XEF
Finance
27.10%
Industrials
16.17%
Technology
12.65%
Healthcare
9.10%
Non-Energy Materials
7.88%
Consumer Non-Cyclicals
7.70%
Other
19.40%
XEF.U
Finance
27.10%
Industrials
16.17%
Technology
12.65%
Healthcare
9.10%
Non-Energy Materials
7.88%
Consumer Non-Cyclicals
7.70%
Other
19.40%
As of October 5, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XEF
ASML Holding NV
2.51%
HSBC Holdings Plc
1.36%
Roche Holding AG
1.17%
Novartis AG
1.07%
Shell Plc
0.97%
Nestlé SA
0.96%
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.
0.94%
AstraZeneca PLC
0.93%
BHP Group Ltd.
0.93%
Siemens AG
0.92%
XEF.U
ASML Holding NV
2.51%
HSBC Holdings Plc
1.36%
Roche Holding AG
1.17%
Novartis AG
1.07%
Shell Plc
0.97%
Nestlé SA
0.96%
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.
0.94%
AstraZeneca PLC
0.93%
BHP Group Ltd.
0.93%
Siemens AG
0.92%
Diversification
XEF
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 2,645 total
11.75%
XEF.U
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 2,645 total
11.75%
Characteristics
Compare
XEF
XEF.U
| Provider | iShares | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | MSCI EAFE IMI Net Total Return Index - CAD | MSCI EAFE IMI Net Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Other | Other |
| Asset Class | Equity | Equity |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 2.33% | 2.39% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | April 10, 2013 | October 9, 2019 |
Frequently asked questions about XEF and XEF.U
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XEF or XEF.U?
As of October 5, 2026, XEF has returned 13.94% year to date, while XEF.U has returned 9.66%. XEF is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XEF or XEF.U?
As of October 5, 2026, XEF manages $24.27 B in assets, while XEF.U manages $181.39 M. XEF is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XEF and XEF.U managed?
XEF is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Net Total Return Index - CAD benchmark. XEF.U is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Net Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XEF and XEF.U emphasize?
XEF is most exposed to Finance, Industrials, and Technology. XEF.U is most exposed to Finance, Industrials, and Technology.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XEF or XEF.U?
Year to date, XEF has seen +$5,587.03 M in net flows, compared with +$49.37 M for XEF.U. XEF has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XEF and XEF.U compare?
XEF has an expense ratio of 0.22%, while XEF.U has an expense ratio of 0.22%.
What are the top holdings of XEF and XEF.U?
XEF's largest holdings include ASML Holding NV, HSBC Holdings Plc, and Roche Holding AG. XEF.U's top holdings include ASML Holding NV, HSBC Holdings Plc, and Roche Holding AG.
Which ETF is more diversified: XEF or XEF.U?
XEF holds 2626 securities, while XEF.U holds 2626. On holdings count, XEF is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XEF and XEF.U
The ETF Market Canada is brought to you by Cboe in partnership with Trackinsight SA who is providing all the data, analysis and editorial content on this site. Unless explicitly stated as such, any information that you receive is not real-time.
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.
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.