VS
iShares Core S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF (XEI) and Harvest Canadian Dividend Leaders Income ETF (HLIF) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that XEI focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Finance, Energy, and Utilities, while HLIF leans towards Finance, Energy, and Utilities. When evaluating costs, XEI features a management fee (MER) of 0.2%, compared to 0.65% for HLIF. Performance-wise, XEI has returned 25.39% year-to-date with +$811 M in net flows, whereas HLIF is at 19.57% 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
XEI
HLIF
| AuM | $4,351.47 M | $202.41 M |
| Management Fees | 0.20% | 0.65% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.22% | 0.79% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.44% | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 11, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XEI | -0.54% | +1.41% | +25.39% | +34.96% | +90.30% |
HLIF | -0.84% | +2.75% | +19.57% | +30.09% | +81.82% | |
| Flows | XEI | +$48 M | +$199 M | +$811 M | +$1,134 M | +$1,663 M |
HLIF | +$8 M | +$28 M | +$49 M | +$51 M | +$56 M |
XEI vs HLIF exposure
Countries
XEI
Canada
92.89%
Other
7.11%
HLIF
Canada
90.40%
USA
9.47%
Sectors
XEI
Finance
36.75%
Energy
30.32%
Utilities
9.44%
Telecommunications
7.05%
Other
16.44%
HLIF
Finance
40.32%
Energy
23.67%
Utilities
12.64%
Other
23.37%
As of September 11, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XEI
Royal Bank of Canada
5.12%
Suncor Energy, Inc.
5.05%
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
5.04%
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
4.99%
Enbridge, Inc.
4.72%
TC Energy Corp.
4.54%
Bank of Montreal
4.37%
Nutrien Ltd.
4.09%
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
3.80%
The Bank of Nova Scotia
3.77%
HLIF
Thomson Reuters Corp.
4.09%
Suncor Energy, Inc.
3.83%
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
3.65%
IGM Financial, Inc.
3.61%
Nutrien Ltd.
3.54%
Manulife Financial Corp.
3.52%
Power Corp of Canada
3.49%
Canadian Utilities Ltd.
3.43%
Sun Life Financial, Inc.
3.40%
Brookfield Asset Management Ltd.
3.37%
Diversification
XEI
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 75 total
45.49%
HLIF
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 30 total
35.92%
Characteristics
Compare
XEI
HLIF
| Provider | iShares | Harvest Portfolios Group |
| Management | Passively managed | Actively managed |
| Benchmark | S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Total Return Index - CAD | - |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | |
| Asset Class | Equity | Equity |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.46% | 6.25% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | April 12, 2011 | June 13, 2022 |
Frequently asked questions about XEI and HLIF
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XEI or HLIF?
As of September 11, 2026, XEI has returned 25.39% year to date, while HLIF has returned 19.57%. XEI is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XEI or HLIF?
As of September 11, 2026, XEI manages $4.35 B in assets, while HLIF manages $202.41 M. XEI is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XEI and HLIF managed?
XEI is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Total Return Index - CAD benchmark. HLIF is actively managed by Harvest Portfolios Group. It does not track an index.
What sectors do XEI and HLIF emphasize?
XEI is most exposed to Finance, Energy, and Utilities. HLIF is most exposed to Finance, Energy, and Utilities.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XEI or HLIF?
Year to date, XEI has seen +$810.69 M in net flows, compared with +$48.77 M for HLIF. XEI has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XEI and HLIF compare?
XEI has an expense ratio of 0.22%, while HLIF has an expense ratio of 0.79%.
What are the top holdings of XEI and HLIF?
XEI's largest holdings include Royal Bank of Canada, Suncor Energy, Inc., and The Toronto-Dominion Bank. HLIF's top holdings include Thomson Reuters Corp., Suncor Energy, Inc., and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd..
Which ETF is more diversified: XEI or HLIF?
XEI holds 75 securities, while HLIF holds 30. On holdings count, XEI is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XEI and HLIF
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