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iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio (XGRO) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that XGRO focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Finance, Technology, and Industrials, while XEF leans towards Finance, Industrials, and Technology. When evaluating costs, XGRO features a management fee (MER) of 0.18%, compared to 0.2% for XEF. Performance-wise, XGRO has returned 10.67% year-to-date with +$844 M in net flows, whereas XEF is at 11.47% with +$6 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
XGRO
XEF
| AuM | $5,242.86 M | $24,192.68 M |
| Management Fees | 0.18% | 0.20% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.19% | 0.22% |
| Tracking Difference | - | -0.73% |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 30, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XGRO | -1.30% | -0.21% | +10.67% | +11.35% | +71.37% |
XEF | -2.65% | -1.94% | +11.47% | +12.82% | +72.91% | |
| Flows | XGRO | +$104 M | +$242 M | +$844 M | +$945 M | +$2,212 M |
XEF | +$553 M | +$1,738 M | +$6,037 M | +$7,163 M | +$12,687 M |
XGRO vs XEF exposure
Countries
XGRO
USA
40.18%
Canada
33.33%
Other
26.50%
XEF
Japan
26.50%
United Kingdom
13.44%
Switzerland
8.78%
Germany
7.81%
France
7.66%
Other
35.80%
Sectors
XGRO
Finance
23.57%
Technology
21.93%
Industrials
8.54%
Other
45.95%
XEF
Finance
26.99%
Industrials
16.10%
Technology
13.23%
Healthcare
9.09%
Non-Energy Materials
7.67%
Consumer Non-Cyclicals
7.59%
Other
19.33%
As of October 30, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XGRO
US4642871507
36.88%
CA46434T1057
19.94%
CA46430J1012
19.55%
CA46430T1093
12.40%
CA46434U1021
4.36%
CA46431X1096
2.94%
US46429B2676
1.87%
US4642886208
1.86%
XEF
ASML Holding NV
2.73%
US46432F8427
2.27%
HSBC Holdings Plc
1.32%
Roche Holding AG
1.14%
Shell Plc
1.06%
Novartis AG
1.02%
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.
0.97%
AstraZeneca PLC
0.96%
Nestlé SA
0.91%
Siemens AG
0.88%
Diversification
XGRO
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 21,951 total
99.81%
XEF
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 2,639 total
13.25%
Characteristics
Compare
XGRO
XEF
| Provider | iShares | iShares |
| Management | Actively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | - | MSCI EAFE IMI Net Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | - | Other |
| Asset Class | Equity, Fixed Income | Equity |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 1.95% | 2.38% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | June 21, 2007 | April 10, 2013 |
Frequently asked questions about XGRO and XEF
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XGRO or XEF?
As of October 30, 2026, XGRO has returned 10.67% year to date, while XEF has returned 11.47%. XEF is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XGRO or XEF?
As of October 30, 2026, XGRO manages $5.24 B in assets, while XEF manages $24.19 B. XEF is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XGRO and XEF managed?
XGRO 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.
Which ETF is more diversified: XGRO or XEF?
XGRO holds 1 securities, while XEF holds 2446. On holdings count, XEF is the more diversified portfolio.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XGRO or XEF?
Year to date, XGRO has seen +$844.22 M in net flows, compared with +$6,036.68 M for XEF. XEF has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XGRO and XEF compare?
XGRO has an expense ratio of 0.19%, while XEF has an expense ratio of 0.22%.
What sectors do XGRO and XEF emphasize?
XGRO is most exposed to Finance, Technology, and Industrials. XEF is most exposed to Finance, Industrials, and Technology.
Recent articles about XGRO and XEF
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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.