VGRO vs. XEI.TO

Last updated Jul 30, 2026

VGRO (Virtus Silvant Growth Opportunities ETF) and XEI.TO (iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGRO is a Large Cap Growth Equities fund actively managed by Virtus, while XEI.TO is a Canada Equities fund tracking the S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index. VGRO is actively managed, while XEI.TO is passively managed. Their -0.01 correlation means they have often moved in opposite directions in the past. VGRO charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for XEI.TO.

Performance

VGRO vs. XEI.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Virtus Silvant Growth Opportunities ETF (VGRO) and iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF (XEI.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

VGRO is traded in USD, while XEI.TO is traded in CAD. To make them comparable, the XEI.TO values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VGRO achieves a -3.29% return, which is significantly lower than XEI.TO's 24.55% return.

VGRO

• 1D: -1.60%
• 1M: -4.62%
• 6M: -2.34%
• YTD: -3.29%
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

XEI.TO

• 1D: -0.17%
• 1M: 4.82%
• 6M: 19.26%
• YTD: 24.55%
• 1Y: 35.51%
• 3Y*: 19.82%
• 5Y*: 13.00%
• 10Y*: 11.25%
• ALL TIME*: 7.19%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
VGRO Virtus Silvant Growth Opportunities ETF	$13.12K	$11.58K	$24.68K
XEI.TO iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF	$4.68M	$4.98M	$5.62M

VGRO vs. XEI.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
VGRO Virtus Silvant Growth Opportunities ETF	-3.29%	-0.88%
XEI.TO iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF	24.55%	-2.42%

Correlation

The correlation between VGRO and XEI.TO is -0.01, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 23, 2025	-0.01

VGRO vs. XEI.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VGRO	XEI.TO
Technology	48.7%	0.7%
Communication Services	20.1%	7.4%
Industrials	9.5%	1.8%
Consumer Cyclical	7.8%	6.2%
Healthcare	7.3%	0.2%
Utilities	4.7%	12.1%
Financial Services	4.2%	32.4%
Basic Materials	1.5%	4.0%
Consumer Defensive	-	0.5%
Energy	-	29.4%
Real Estate	-	5.2%

Return for Risk

VGRO vs. XEI.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VGRO

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

XEI.TO

XEI.TO Risk / Return Rank: 98
XEI.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
XEI.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
XEI.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 98
XEI.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
XEI.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 98

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VGRO vs. XEI.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Virtus Silvant Growth Opportunities ETF (VGRO) and iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF (XEI.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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VGRO	XEI.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	3.95	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	5.46	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.73	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	7.81	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	28.01	—

Drawdowns

VGRO vs. XEI.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGRO drawdown since its inception was -15.49%, smaller than the maximum XEI.TO drawdown of -50.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGRO and XEI.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGRO	XEI.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.49%	-50.19%	+34.70%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-4.57%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-12.39%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.53%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-50.19%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.63%	-0.26%	-10.37%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.79%	-9.85%	+5.06%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	1.28%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	VGRO	XEI.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	2.54%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	6.66%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.46%	9.02%	+10.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.46%	13.14%	+6.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.46%	17.50%	+1.96%

VGRO vs. XEI.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VGRO has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than XEI.TO's 0.22% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGRO vs. XEI.TO - Dividend Comparison

VGRO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XEI.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.39%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGRO Virtus Silvant Growth Opportunities ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XEI.TO iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF	3.39%	4.47%	5.45%	4.97%	4.68%	3.58%	5.03%	4.62%	5.42%	4.29%	4.41%	5.64%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VGRO and XEI.TO in my portfolio?

VGRO and XEI.TO have a correlation of -0.01, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VGRO or XEI.TO?

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

Which ETF is cheaper, VGRO or XEI.TO?

XEI.TO is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for VGRO.

What is the main difference between VGRO and XEI.TO?

VGRO is categorized as Large Cap Growth Equities, while XEI.TO is Canada Equities. They also come from different issuers: Virtus and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for VGRO and 0.22% for XEI.TO.