PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
VDU.TO vs. XEC.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VDU.TO vs. XEC.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VDU.TO (Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex U.S. Index ETF) and XEC.TO (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VDU.TO is a Global Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while XEC.TO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the Morningstar EM GR CAD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, VDU.TO returned 10.28%/yr vs 10.71%/yr for XEC.TO. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VDU.TO charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for XEC.TO.

Performance

VDU.TO vs. XEC.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex U.S. Index ETF (VDU.TO) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF (XEC.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDU.TO achieves a 16.22% return, which is significantly lower than XEC.TO's 27.92% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VDU.TO having a 10.28% annualized return and XEC.TO not far ahead at 10.71%.

VDU.TO

1D
-0.45%
1M
7.62%
YTD
16.22%
6M
17.26%
1Y
33.30%
3Y*
20.33%
5Y*
11.99%
10Y*
10.28%

XEC.TO

1D
-0.88%
1M
10.15%
YTD
27.92%
6M
28.48%
1Y
54.44%
3Y*
24.69%
5Y*
10.21%
10Y*
10.71%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VDU.TO vs. XEC.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
VDU.TO
Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex U.S. Index ETF		16.22%27.97%11.37%14.56%-9.89%10.23%7.06%15.90%-8.11%17.64%
XEC.TO
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF		27.92%25.78%16.14%7.92%-14.68%-1.74%15.08%11.53%-8.26%27.93%

Correlation

The correlation between VDU.TO and XEC.TO is 0.79, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.79

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.70

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.67

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.70

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 13, 2013

0.71

The correlation between VDU.TO and XEC.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.67 (5 years) to 0.79 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

VDU.TO vs. XEC.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VDU.TO
XEC.TO

Financial Services

23.3%
18.4%

Industrials

19.2%
9.0%

Technology

13.8%
35.0%

Healthcare

8.2%
3.7%

Basic Materials

7.5%
6.9%

Consumer Cyclical

7.5%
9.6%

Consumer Defensive

5.6%
3.3%

Energy

5.4%
3.9%

Communication Services

3.4%
6.4%

Utilities

3.3%
2.2%

Real Estate

2.7%
1.7%

Financial Services

VDU.TO
23.3%
XEC.TO
18.4%

Industrials

VDU.TO
19.2%
XEC.TO
9.0%

Technology

VDU.TO
13.8%
XEC.TO
35.0%

Healthcare

VDU.TO
8.2%
XEC.TO
3.7%

Basic Materials

VDU.TO
7.5%
XEC.TO
6.9%

Consumer Cyclical

VDU.TO
7.5%
XEC.TO
9.6%

Consumer Defensive

VDU.TO
5.6%
XEC.TO
3.3%

Energy

VDU.TO
5.4%
XEC.TO
3.9%

Communication Services

VDU.TO
3.4%
XEC.TO
6.4%

Utilities

VDU.TO
3.3%
XEC.TO
2.2%

Real Estate

VDU.TO
2.7%
XEC.TO
1.7%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex U.S. Index ETF

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF

Often compared with VDU.TO:
VDU.TO vs. VIU.TOVDU.TO vs. VEF.TOVDU.TO vs. ZEA.TOVDU.TO vs. XEF.TOVDU.TO vs. VIDY.TOVDU.TO vs. VFV.TOVDU.TO vs. BANK.TO
Often compared with XEC.TO:
XEC.TO vs. XEF.TOXEC.TO vs. VEE.TOXEC.TO vs. XEM.TOXEC.TO vs. ZEM.TOXEC.TO vs. XEQT.TOXEC.TO vs. VFV.TOXEC.TO vs. XIC.TO

Return for Risk

VDU.TO vs. XEC.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VDU.TO
VDU.TO Risk / Return Rank: 6565
Overall Rank
VDU.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6868
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VDU.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 6767
Sortino Ratio Rank
VDU.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 6868
Omega Ratio Rank
VDU.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5858
Calmar Ratio Rank
VDU.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 6565
Martin Ratio Rank
XEC.TO
XEC.TO Risk / Return Rank: 8686
Overall Rank
XEC.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8888
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XEC.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 8585
Sortino Ratio Rank
XEC.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 8888
Omega Ratio Rank
XEC.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 8686
Calmar Ratio Rank
XEC.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 8383
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VDU.TO vs. XEC.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex U.S. Index ETF (VDU.TO) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF (XEC.TO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

VDU.TOXEC.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.28
3.01

-0.73

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.13
3.86

-0.73

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.42

1.56

-0.14

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.92

4.86

-1.94

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.06

17.00

-4.94

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VDU.TO vs. XEC.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDU.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.28, which is comparable to the XEC.TO Sharpe Ratio of 3.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDU.TO and XEC.TO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Loading charts...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

VDU.TOXEC.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.28

3.01

-0.73

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.89

0.65

+0.25

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.70

0.61

+0.09

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.70

0.52

+0.18

Drawdowns

VDU.TO vs. XEC.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDU.TO drawdown since its inception was -29.19%, smaller than the maximum XEC.TO drawdown of -32.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDU.TO and XEC.TO.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

VDU.TOXEC.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-29.19%

-32.54%

+3.35%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.47%

-11.25%

-0.22%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.02%

-15.07%

+1.05%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.10%

-29.14%

+5.04%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-29.19%

-32.54%

+3.35%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.45%

-0.88%

+0.43%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.66%

-9.56%

+4.90%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.77%

3.21%

-0.44%

Volatility

VDU.TO vs. XEC.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex U.S. Index ETF (VDU.TO) is 5.23%, while iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF (XEC.TO) has a volatility of 7.80%. This indicates that VDU.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XEC.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

VDU.TOXEC.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.23%

7.80%

-2.57%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.47%

15.85%

-3.38%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.68%

18.19%

-3.51%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

13.50%

15.91%

-2.41%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

14.75%

17.60%

-2.85%

VDU.TO vs. XEC.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDU.TO has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than XEC.TO's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

VDU.TO vs. XEC.TO - Dividend Comparison

VDU.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.09%, more than XEC.TO's 1.50% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VDU.TO
Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex U.S. Index ETF		2.09%2.61%2.55%2.54%2.14%2.67%1.64%2.48%2.61%2.26%2.41%2.25%
XEC.TO
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF		1.50%1.92%2.03%2.16%2.28%2.78%1.64%2.87%2.66%2.13%1.80%2.19%

Frequently Asked Questions

VDU.TO and XEC.TO have a correlation of 0.79, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, VDU.TO is cheaper at 0.22% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

VDU.TO is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for XEC.TO.

VDU.TO is categorized as Global Equities, while XEC.TO is Emerging Markets Equities. VDU.TO tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while XEC.TO tracks Morningstar EM GR CAD. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.22% for VDU.TO and 0.28% for XEC.TO.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for VDU.TO and XEC.TO

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer