VS
iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index ETF (XHU) and Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that XHU focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Healthcare, Consumer Non-Cyclicals, and Energy, while VDY leans towards Finance, Energy, and Utilities. When evaluating costs, XHU features a management fee (MER) of 0.3%, compared to 0.2% for VDY. Performance-wise, XHU has returned 25.33% year-to-date with +$27 M in net flows, whereas VDY is at 27.51% 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
XHU
VDY
| AuM | $213.90 M | $9,112.73 M |
| Management Fees | 0.30% | 0.20% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.34% | 0.22% |
| Tracking Difference | 0.16% | -0.03% |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 1, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XHU | +2.32% | +11.82% | +25.33% | +24.75% | +59.48% |
VDY | -0.58% | +5.67% | +27.51% | +44.75% | +118.35% | |
| Flows | XHU | -$0 M | +$12 M | +$27 M | +$9 M | -$43 M |
VDY | +$83 M | +$607 M | +$1,958 M | +$2,553 M | +$3,874 M |
XHU vs VDY exposure
Countries
XHU
USA
89.96%
Other
8.31%
VDY
Canada
97.08%
Sectors
XHU
Healthcare
24.00%
Consumer Non-Cyclicals
23.63%
Energy
12.74%
Other
8.31%
Utilities
7.65%
Other
23.67%
VDY
Finance
59.82%
Energy
28.36%
Other
11.82%
As of September 1, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XHU
US30233Q1085
7.96%
AbbVie, Inc.
6.33%
Chevron Corp.
5.99%
Verizon Communications, Inc.
5.43%
Procter & Gamble Co.
4.50%
Philip Morris International, Inc.
4.47%
The Home Depot, Inc.
4.47%
Pfizer Inc.
4.25%
The Coca-Cola Co.
4.13%
Merck & Co., Inc.
3.98%
VDY
Royal Bank of Canada
15.83%
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
10.84%
Bank of Montreal
6.86%
Enbridge, Inc.
6.42%
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
5.89%
The Bank of Nova Scotia
5.85%
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
5.26%
Suncor Energy, Inc.
4.31%
Manulife Financial Corp.
4.02%
TC Energy Corp.
3.79%
Diversification
XHU
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 75 total
51.52%
VDY
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 60 total
69.07%
Characteristics
Compare
XHU
VDY
| Provider | iShares | Vanguard |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Net Total Return Index - CAD | FTSE Canada High Dividend Yield Net Tax Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Equity | Equity |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 2.20% | 3.00% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | February 10, 2015 | November 2, 2012 |
Frequently asked questions about XHU and VDY
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XHU or VDY?
As of September 1, 2026, XHU has returned 25.33% year to date, while VDY has returned 27.51%. VDY is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XHU or VDY?
As of September 1, 2026, XHU manages $213.90 M in assets, while VDY manages $9.11 B. VDY is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XHU and VDY managed?
XHU is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus Net Total Return Index - CAD benchmark. VDY is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the FTSE Canada High Dividend Yield Net Tax Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XHU and VDY emphasize?
XHU is most exposed to Healthcare, Consumer Non-Cyclicals, and Energy. VDY is most exposed to Finance, Energy, and Utilities.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XHU or VDY?
Year to date, XHU has seen +$26.64 M in net flows, compared with +$1,957.73 M for VDY. VDY has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XHU and VDY compare?
XHU has an expense ratio of 0.34%, while VDY has an expense ratio of 0.22%.
What are the top holdings of XHU and VDY?
XHU's largest holdings include AbbVie, Inc. and Chevron Corp.. VDY's top holdings include Royal Bank of Canada, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, and Bank of Montreal.
Which ETF is more diversified: XHU or VDY?
XHU holds 75 securities, while VDY holds 60. On holdings count, XHU is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XHU and VDY
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