VS
Compare iShares ESG MSCI Canada Index ETF (XESG) vs Vanguard FTSE Canada All Cap Index ETF (VCN) to find the best fit for your portfolio. XESG provides Finance, Non-Energy Materials, and Energy exposures, while VCN is primarily weighted in Finance, Energy, and Non-Energy Materials. When evaluating costs, XESG features a management fee (MER) of 0.15%, compared to 0.05% for VCN. Performance-wise, XESG has returned 12.17% year-to-date with +$33 M in net flows, whereas VCN is at 11.31% with +$2 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
XESG
VCN
| AuM | $648.26 M | $16,666.74 M |
| Management Fees | 0.15% | 0.05% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.17% | 0.06% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.26% | -0.09% |
Historical performance and flows
As of July 17, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XESG | +0.62% | +2.59% | +12.17% | +30.61% | +86.90% |
VCN | +0.06% | +2.16% | +11.31% | +30.21% | +85.74% | |
| Flows | XESG | +$4 M | +$17 M | +$33 M | +$14 M | +$43 M |
VCN | +$402 M | +$1,082 M | +$2,493 M | +$3,544 M | +$5,739 M |
XESG vs VCN exposure
Countries
XESG
Canada
97.86%
VCN
Canada
96.08%
Sectors
XESG
Finance
46.84%
Non-Energy Materials
17.42%
Energy
16.87%
Other
18.87%
VCN
Finance
42.85%
Energy
16.28%
Non-Energy Materials
15.92%
Industrials
7.75%
Other
17.20%
As of July 17, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XESG
Royal Bank of Canada
8.78%
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
6.35%
Enbridge, Inc.
4.15%
The Bank of Nova Scotia
4.07%
Shopify, Inc.
4.03%
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
3.78%
Bank of Montreal
3.28%
Manulife Financial Corp.
3.03%
National Bank of Canada
2.74%
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.
2.45%
VCN
Royal Bank of Canada
8.37%
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
5.88%
Shopify, Inc.
4.05%
Bank of Montreal
3.61%
Enbridge, Inc.
3.42%
The Bank of Nova Scotia
3.10%
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
3.06%
Brookfield Corp.
2.58%
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
2.33%
Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.
2.29%
Diversification
XESG
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 135 total
42.66%
VCN
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 213 total
38.68%
Characteristics
Compare
XESG
VCN
| Provider | iShares | Vanguard |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | MSCI Canada IMI Extended ESG Focus Gross Return Index - CAD | FTSE Canada All Cap Domestic Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Equity | Equity |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 1.90% | 2.04% |
| Meets ESG criteria | Yes | No |
| Inception Date | March 18, 2019 | August 2, 2013 |
Frequently asked questions about XESG and VCN
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XESG or VCN?
As of July 17, 2026, XESG has returned 12.17% year to date, while VCN has returned 11.31%. XESG is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XESG or VCN?
As of July 17, 2026, XESG manages $648.26 M in assets, while VCN manages $16.67 B. VCN is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XESG and VCN managed?
XESG is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the MSCI Canada IMI Extended ESG Focus Gross Return Index - CAD benchmark. VCN is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the FTSE Canada All Cap Domestic Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XESG and VCN emphasize?
XESG is most exposed to Finance, Non-Energy Materials, and Energy. VCN is most exposed to Finance, Energy, and Non-Energy Materials.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XESG or VCN?
Year to date, XESG has seen +$32.78 M in net flows, compared with +$2,493.24 M for VCN. VCN has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XESG and VCN compare?
XESG has an expense ratio of 0.17%, while VCN has an expense ratio of 0.06%.
What are the top holdings of XESG and VCN?
XESG's largest holdings include Royal Bank of Canada, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, and Enbridge, Inc.. VCN's top holdings include Royal Bank of Canada, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, and Shopify, Inc..
Which ETF is more diversified: XESG or VCN?
XESG holds 135 securities, while VCN holds 209. On holdings count, VCN is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XESG and VCN
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.