iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF.TO) belongs to the Foreign Large Cap Equities category. Below you'll find alternative ETFs from the same category, ranked by key criteria, plus funds that investors commonly compare with XEF.TO. Use the tables to find lower-cost options, better risk-adjusted returns, or a closer substitute for your current allocation.
Cheapest Alternatives to XEF.TO
XEF.TO charges 0.23% annually. There is 1 ETF in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with a lower expense ratio, going as low as 0.17%.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mackenzie International Equity Index ETF | 0.17% | 1.52B | Jan 2018 | XEF.TO vs QDX.TO | |
| Franklin International Equity Index ETF | 0.27% | — | Feb 2019 | XEF.TO vs FLUR.NEO | |
| iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE Index ETF | 0.28% | 357.29M | Apr 2020 | XEF.TO vs XDSR.TO | |
| iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE Index ETF | 0.28% | 351.13M | Mar 2019 | XEF.TO vs XSEA.TO | |
| Vanguard FTSE Developed ex North America High Divi... | 0.31% | 1.90B | Aug 2018 | XEF.TO vs VIDY.TO |
Best Risk-Adjusted Alternatives to XEF.TO
XEF.TO has a PortfoliosLab risk / return rank of 47. There are 5 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher risk-adjusted ranks, going as high as 81.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBC Quant EAFE Dividend Leaders (CAD Hedged) ETF | 81 | 145.76M | Oct 2014 | XEF.TO vs RIDH.TO | |
| CI Morningstar International Momentum Index ETF Co... | 71 | 124.79M | Nov 2014 | XEF.TO vs ZXM.TO | |
| Fidelity International Value ETF | 64 | 2.08B | Jun 2025 | XEF.TO vs FCIV.TO | |
| Vanguard FTSE Developed ex North America High Divi... | 59 | 1.90B | Aug 2018 | XEF.TO vs VIDY.TO | |
| Mackenzie International Equity Index ETF | 48 | 1.52B | Jan 2018 | XEF.TO vs QDX.TO |
Top Performing XEF.TO Alternatives (YTD)
XEF.TO is at 9.95% YTD. There are 7 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with higher YTD returns, going as high as 12.33%.
| Symbol | Name | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CI Morningstar International Momentum Index ETF Co... | 12.33% | 124.79M | Nov 2014 | XEF.TO vs ZXM.TO | |
| Fidelity International Value ETF | 12.00% | 2.08B | Jun 2025 | XEF.TO vs FCIV.TO | |
| iShares ESG Advanced MSCI EAFE Index ETF | 11.94% | 357.29M | Apr 2020 | XEF.TO vs XDSR.TO | |
| RBC Quant EAFE Dividend Leaders (CAD Hedged) ETF | 11.50% | 145.76M | Oct 2014 | XEF.TO vs RIDH.TO | |
| Vanguard FTSE Developed ex North America High Divi... | 10.45% | 1.90B | Aug 2018 | XEF.TO vs VIDY.TO |
Lowest Volatility Alternatives to XEF.TO
XEF.TO has 13.85% 1-year volatility. There are 5 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with lower 1-year volatility, going as low as 10.30%.
| Symbol | Name | Volatility 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMO Low Volatility International Equity ETF | 10.30% | 284.99M | Sep 2015 | XEF.TO vs ZLI.TO | |
| BMO Europe High Dividend Covered Call Hedged to CA... | 11.00% | 762.24M | Sep 2015 | XEF.TO vs ZWE.TO | |
| TD Q International Low Volatility ETF | 11.13% | 133.63M | May 2019 | XEF.TO vs TILV.TO | |
| RBC Quant EAFE Dividend Leaders (CAD Hedged) ETF | 11.91% | 145.76M | Oct 2014 | XEF.TO vs RIDH.TO | |
| Vanguard FTSE Developed ex North America High Divi... | 13.21% | 1.90B | Aug 2018 | XEF.TO vs VIDY.TO |
Lowest Drawdown Alternatives to XEF.TO
XEF.TO has a 1-year max drawdown of -11.27%. There are 10 ETFs in the Foreign Large Cap Equities category with shallower 1-year drawdowns, going as shallow as -7.11%.
| Symbol | Name | Max Drawdown 1Y | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TD Q International Low Volatility ETF | -7.11% | 133.63M | May 2019 | XEF.TO vs TILV.TO | |
| BMO Low Volatility International Equity ETF | -8.37% | 284.99M | Sep 2015 | XEF.TO vs ZLI.TO | |
| Fidelity International Value ETF | -8.59% | 2.08B | Jun 2025 | XEF.TO vs FCIV.TO | |
| RBC Quant EAFE Dividend Leaders (CAD Hedged) ETF | -8.67% | 145.76M | Oct 2014 | XEF.TO vs RIDH.TO | |
| Fidelity International Low Volatility ETF | -9.17% | — | Jan 2019 | XEF.TO vs FCIL.NEO |
Other ETFs from iShares
The 10 most viewed iShares ETFs shown here include XEQT.TO, XDIV.TO, XEI.TO and span 7 categories. AUM among these funds goes as high as $30B.
| Symbol | Name | Category | Risk / Return Rank | YTD Return | AUM | Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares Core Equity ETF Portfolio | Global Equities | 75 | 12.29% | 18.41B | Aug 2019 | XEF.TO vs XEQT.TO | |
| iShares Core MSCI Canadian Quality Dividend Index ... | Dividend, Large Cap Value Equities | 98 | 19.17% | 5.25B | Jun 2017 | XEF.TO vs XDIV.TO | |
| iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF | Canada Equities | 98 | 22.21% | 4.02B | Apr 2011 | XEF.TO vs XEI.TO | |
| iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF | Canada Equities | 80 | 10.75% | 29.66B | Feb 2001 | XEF.TO vs XIC.TO | |
| iShares S&P/TSX 60 Index ETF | Canada Equities | 82 | 10.14% | 22.52B | Sep 1999 | XEF.TO vs XIU.TO | |
| iShares NASDAQ 100 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | Nasdaq-100 | 66 | 19.81% | 5.56B | May 2011 | XEF.TO vs XQQ.TO | |
| iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio | Diversified Portfolio | 67 | 10.38% | 4.82B | Jun 2007 | XEF.TO vs XGRO.TO | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF | S&P 500 | 73 | 12.21% | 12.60B | Apr 2013 | XEF.TO vs XUS.TO | |
| iShares Core MSCI All Country World ex Canada Inde... | Global Equities | 76 | 13.70% | 4.25B | Feb 2015 | XEF.TO vs XAW.TO | |
| iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) | S&P 500 | 61 | 9.64% | 15.61B | May 2001 | XEF.TO vs XSP.TO |
Often Compared With XEF.TO
Investors most often compare XEF.TO with XEC.TO, VIU.TO, ZEA.TO. These 20 comparison targets span 7 categories, based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Compare XEF.TO with Any Fund or Stock
Compare XEF.TO with any ETF, mutual fund, or stock using PortfoliosLab's comparison tool.
Pair XEF.TO with funds that move differently
iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF alternatives help with substitution. Diversifiers are the next step when you want funds with lower historical correlation to XEF.TO.
Explore XEF.TO Diversifiers