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iShares Core Equity ETF (XEQT) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that XEQT focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Finance, Technology, and Industrials, while XEF leans towards Finance, Industrials, and Technology. When evaluating costs, XEQT features a management fee (MER) of 0.18%, compared to 0.2% for XEF. Performance-wise, XEQT has returned 14.79% year-to-date with +$8 B in net flows, whereas XEF is at 13.98% with +$5 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
XEQT
XEF
| AuM | $22,329.14 M | $23,805.66 M |
| Management Fees | 0.18% | 0.20% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.19% | 0.22% |
| Tracking Difference | - | -0.14% |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 11, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XEQT | -1.41% | +2.68% | +14.79% | +20.00% | +79.80% |
XEF | -1.73% | +4.30% | +13.98% | +18.38% | +68.01% | |
| Flows | XEQT | +$1,135 M | +$3,086 M | +$8,058 M | +$9,883 M | +$15,910 M |
XEF | +$664 M | +$1,792 M | +$5,110 M | +$6,919 M | +$11,896 M |
XEQT vs XEF exposure
Countries
XEQT
USA
44.48%
Canada
24.66%
Other
30.86%
XEF
Japan
24.79%
United Kingdom
13.81%
Switzerland
9.26%
France
8.14%
Germany
8.12%
Australia
7.05%
Other
28.83%
Sectors
XEQT
Finance
25.23%
Technology
24.35%
Industrials
10.32%
Non-Energy Materials
7.46%
Energy
7.10%
Other
25.54%
XEF
Finance
27.43%
Industrials
16.38%
Technology
11.80%
Healthcare
9.36%
Consumer Non-Cyclicals
8.07%
Non-Energy Materials
7.48%
Other
19.48%
As of September 11, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XEQT
Apple, Inc.
3.05%
NVIDIA Corp.
2.94%
Microsoft Corp.
2.08%
Royal Bank of Canada
2.07%
Amazon.com, Inc.
1.43%
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
1.41%
Alphabet, Inc.
1.22%
Broadcom Inc.
1.14%
Shopify, Inc.
1.05%
Alphabet, Inc.
0.98%
XEF
ASML Holding NV
2.51%
HSBC Holdings Plc
1.43%
Roche Holding AG
1.20%
Novartis AG
1.12%
Nestlé SA
1.02%
AstraZeneca PLC
1.01%
Shell Plc
0.98%
Siemens AG
0.94%
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.
0.92%
BHP Group Ltd.
0.82%
Diversification
XEQT
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 8,298 total
17.37%
XEF
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 2,648 total
11.94%
Characteristics
Compare
XEQT
XEF
| Provider | iShares | iShares |
| Management | Actively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | - | MSCI EAFE IMI Net Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | ||
| Asset Class | Equity | Equity |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 1.59% | 2.32% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | August 7, 2019 | April 10, 2013 |
Frequently asked questions about XEQT and XEF
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XEQT or XEF?
As of September 11, 2026, XEQT has returned 14.79% year to date, while XEF has returned 13.98%. XEQT is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XEQT or XEF?
As of September 11, 2026, XEQT manages $22.33 B in assets, while XEF manages $23.81 B. XEF is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XEQT and XEF managed?
XEQT is actively managed by iShares. It does not track an index. XEF is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Net Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XEQT and XEF emphasize?
XEQT is most exposed to Finance, Technology, and Industrials. XEF is most exposed to Finance, Industrials, and Technology.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XEQT or XEF?
Year to date, XEQT has seen +$8,057.69 M in net flows, compared with +$5,109.84 M for XEF. XEQT has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XEQT and XEF compare?
XEQT has an expense ratio of 0.19%, while XEF has an expense ratio of 0.22%.
What are the top holdings of XEQT and XEF?
XEQT's largest holdings include Apple, Inc., NVIDIA Corp., and Alphabet, Inc.. XEF's top holdings include ASML Holding NV, HSBC Holdings Plc, and Roche Holding AG.
Which ETF is more diversified: XEQT or XEF?
XEQT holds 8200 securities, while XEF holds 2636. On holdings count, XEQT is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XEQT and XEF
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