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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 Information Technology, Financials, and Industrials, while XEF leans towards Financials, Industrials, and Consumer Discretionary. When evaluating costs, XGRO features a management fee (MER) of 0.18%, compared to 0.2% for XEF. Performance-wise, XGRO has returned 5.31% year-to-date with +$343 M in net flows, whereas XEF is at 5.81% with +$3 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 | $4,565.53 M | $20,157.71 M |
| Management Fees | 0.18% | 0.20% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.20% | 0.23% |
| Tracking Difference | - | 0.06% |
Historical performance and flows
As of April 30, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XGRO | +7.18% | +3.76% | +5.31% | +25.16% | +58.87% |
XEF | +5.79% | +1.55% | +5.81% | +23.48% | +54.49% | |
| Flows | XGRO | +$72 M | +$244 M | +$343 M | +$783 M | +$1,838 M |
XEF | +$566 M | +$2,073 M | +$2,707 M | +$6,122 M | +$9,690 M |
XGRO vs XEF exposure
Countries
XGRO
USA
38.38%
Canada
35.84%
Other
25.78%
XEF
Japan
24.24%
United Kingdom
13.87%
Switzerland
8.67%
France
8.44%
Germany
8.16%
Australia
7.08%
Other
29.54%
Sectors
XGRO
Information Technology
15.59%
Financials
14.76%
Other
9.78%
Industrials
8.63%
Other
51.25%
XEF
Financials
21.72%
Industrials
18.69%
Consumer Discretionary
8.48%
Information Technology
8.41%
Health Care
7.57%
Other
7.24%
Other
27.90%
As of April 30, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XGRO
NVIDIA
2.40%
APPLE
2.11%
MICROSOFT-T
1.56%
ROYAL BK CANADA
1.38%
AMAZON.COM INC
1.15%
TORONTO DOMINION
0.96%
ALPHABET INC-CL
0.95%
SHOPIFY SUBORDINATE VOTING
0.89%
BROADCOM LIMITED
0.83%
ALPHABET INC-CL
0.76%
XEF
ASML HOLDING
2.12%
ASTRAZENECA
1.27%
NOVARTIS
1.21%
HSBC HOLDINGS
1.17%
CH1499059983
1.17%
SHELL PLC
1.14%
NESTLE SA
1.07%
COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA
0.81%
TOYOTA
0.80%
TOTALENERGIES SE
0.78%
Diversification
XGRO
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 21,721 total
12.99%
XEF
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 2,656 total
11.55%
Characteristics
Compare
XGRO
XEF
| Provider | iShares | iShares |
| Management | Actively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | - | MSCI EAFE IMI Net Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | ||
| Asset Class | Equity, Fixed Income | Equity |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 1.84% | 2.31% |
| 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 April 30, 2026, XGRO has returned 5.31% year to date, while XEF has returned 5.81%. XEF is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XGRO or XEF?
As of April 30, 2026, XGRO manages $4.57 B in assets, while XEF manages $20.16 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.
What sectors do XGRO and XEF emphasize?
XGRO is most exposed to Information Technology, Financials, and Industrials. XEF is most exposed to Financials, Industrials, and Consumer Discretionary.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XGRO or XEF?
Year to date, XGRO has seen +$343.02 M in net flows, compared with +$2,707.45 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 0.20%, while XEF has an expense ratio of 0.23%.
What are the top holdings of XGRO and XEF?
XGRO's largest holdings include NVIDIA and APPLE. XEF's top holdings include ASML HOLDING and ASTRAZENECA.
Which ETF is more diversified: XGRO or XEF?
XGRO holds 18569 securities, while XEF holds 2476. On holdings count, XGRO is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XGRO and XEF
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