VS
iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF (XMS) and Vanguard U.S. Dividend Appreciation Index ETF (VGH) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that XMS focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Technology, Finance, and Healthcare, while VGH leans towards Technology, Finance, and Healthcare. When evaluating costs, XMS features a management fee (MER) of 0.3%, compared to 0.28% for VGH. Performance-wise, XMS has returned 6.77% year-to-date with +$4 M in net flows, whereas VGH is at 9.29% with +$24 M. 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
XMS
VGH
| AuM | $64.90 M | $1,038.72 M |
| Management Fees | 0.30% | 0.28% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.33% | 0.32% |
| Tracking Difference | 0.55% | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 15, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XMS | +1.98% | +4.30% | +6.77% | +6.67% | +35.88% |
VGH | +2.00% | +1.72% | +9.29% | +10.55% | +53.28% | |
| Flows | XMS | -$4 M | -$2 M | +$4 M | +$6 M | +$13 M |
VGH | -$0 M | +$5 M | +$24 M | +$35 M | +$185 M |
XMS vs VGH exposure
Countries
XMS
USA
93.04%
VGH
USA
95.30%
Sectors
XMS
Technology
30.24%
Finance
14.86%
Healthcare
14.02%
Consumer Non-Cyclicals
10.66%
Other
30.21%
VGH
Technology
26.27%
Finance
20.43%
Healthcare
18.15%
Industrials
9.45%
Consumer Non-Cyclicals
8.87%
Other
16.82%
As of October 15, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XMS
Microsoft Corp.
1.56%
Amphenol Corp.
1.51%
NVIDIA Corp.
1.51%
Motorola Solutions, Inc.
1.50%
Welltower, Inc.
1.49%
Verizon Communications, Inc.
1.45%
Johnson & Johnson
1.45%
Chubb Ltd.
1.45%
Merck & Co., Inc.
1.45%
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
1.43%
VGH
Microsoft Corp.
4.67%
Apple, Inc.
4.50%
Broadcom Inc.
4.34%
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
4.07%
Eli Lilly & Co.
3.90%
ExxonMobil Holdings Corp.
2.84%
Johnson & Johnson
2.73%
Visa, Inc.
2.50%
Mastercard, Inc.
2.03%
Walmart, Inc.
1.96%
Diversification
XMS
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 173 total
14.81%
VGH
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 333 total
33.53%
Characteristics
Compare
XMS
VGH
| Provider | iShares | Vanguard |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | MSCI USA Minimum Volatility 100% Hedged to CAD Net Total Return Index - CAD | S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index - USD |
| Replication Method | Other | Other |
| Asset Class | Equity | Equity |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 1.09% | 1.07% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | April 5, 2016 | August 2, 2013 |
Frequently asked questions about XMS and VGH
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XMS or VGH?
As of October 15, 2026, XMS has returned 6.77% year to date, while VGH has returned 9.29%. VGH is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XMS or VGH?
As of October 15, 2026, XMS manages $64.90 M in assets, while VGH manages $1.04 B. VGH is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XMS and VGH managed?
XMS is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility 100% Hedged to CAD Net Total Return Index - CAD benchmark. VGH is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index - USD benchmark.
What sectors do XMS and VGH emphasize?
XMS is most exposed to Technology, Finance, and Healthcare. VGH is most exposed to Technology, Finance, and Healthcare.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XMS or VGH?
Year to date, XMS has seen +$4.16 M in net flows, compared with +$24.05 M for VGH. VGH has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XMS and VGH compare?
XMS has an expense ratio of 0.33%, while VGH has an expense ratio of 0.32%.
What are the top holdings of XMS and VGH?
XMS's largest holdings include Microsoft Corp., Amphenol Corp., and NVIDIA Corp.. VGH's top holdings include Microsoft Corp., Apple, Inc., and Broadcom Inc..
Which ETF is more diversified: XMS or VGH?
XMS holds 173 securities, while VGH holds 331. On holdings count, VGH is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XMS and VGH
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