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XCG.TO vs. XGD.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XCG.TO vs. XGD.TO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

XCG.TO (iShares Canadian Growth Index ETF) and XGD.TO (iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XCG.TO is a Canada Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Canada GR CAD, while XGD.TO is a Precious Metals fund tracking the S&P/TSX Global Gold Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XCG.TO returned 9.54%/yr vs 15.15%/yr for XGD.TO. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XCG.TO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for XGD.TO.

Performance

XCG.TO vs. XGD.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in iShares Canadian Growth Index ETF (XCG.TO) and iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF (XGD.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XCG.TO achieves a 2.86% return, which is significantly lower than XGD.TO's 5.52% return. Over the past 10 years, XCG.TO has underperformed XGD.TO with an annualized return of 9.54%, while XGD.TO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.15% annualized return.

XCG.TO

1D
0.92%
1M
3.98%
YTD
2.86%
6M
-4.93%
1Y
5.89%
3Y*
13.77%
5Y*
8.36%
10Y*
9.54%

XGD.TO

1D
2.10%
1M
3.67%
YTD
5.52%
6M
9.98%
1Y
71.20%
3Y*
44.08%
5Y*
22.81%
10Y*
15.15%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XCG.TO vs. XGD.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
XCG.TO
iShares Canadian Growth Index ETF		2.86%9.37%21.40%17.43%-11.67%15.98%11.25%28.29%-6.14%7.03%
XGD.TO
iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF		5.52%144.45%19.63%3.91%-3.10%-5.81%21.10%40.18%-4.10%0.96%

Correlation

The correlation between XCG.TO and XGD.TO is 0.63, 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

0.63

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

0.46

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

0.38

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

0.27

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 13, 2006

0.40

Over the past year, XCG.TO and XGD.TO have become more correlated (0.63) than their long-term average of 0.40, meaning their price movements have been converging.

XCG.TO vs. XGD.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
XCG.TO
XGD.TO

Basic Materials

27.2%
100.0%

Industrials

22.4%

-

Technology

17.0%

-

Financial Services

10.0%

-

Energy

9.7%

-

Consumer Cyclical

7.2%

-

Consumer Defensive

4.6%

-

Communication Services

1.5%

-

Real Estate

0.4%

-

Healthcare

-

-

Utilities

-

-

Basic Materials

XCG.TO
27.2%
XGD.TO
100.0%

Industrials

XCG.TO
22.4%
XGD.TO

-

Technology

XCG.TO
17.0%
XGD.TO

-

Financial Services

XCG.TO
10.0%
XGD.TO

-

Energy

XCG.TO
9.7%
XGD.TO

-

Consumer Cyclical

XCG.TO
7.2%
XGD.TO

-

Consumer Defensive

XCG.TO
4.6%
XGD.TO

-

Communication Services

XCG.TO
1.5%
XGD.TO

-

Real Estate

XCG.TO
0.4%
XGD.TO

-

Healthcare

XCG.TO

-

XGD.TO

-

Utilities

XCG.TO

-

XGD.TO

-

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

iShares Canadian Growth Index ETF

iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF

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Often compared with XGD.TO:
XGD.TO vs. CGL.TOXGD.TO vs. GLDXGD.TO vs. ZGD.TOXGD.TO vs. MNT.TOXGD.TO vs. BRK-BXGD.TO vs. ZGLD.TOXGD.TO vs. ZGLD.SW

Return for Risk

XCG.TO vs. XGD.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XCG.TO
XCG.TO Risk / Return Rank: 1414
Overall Rank
XCG.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1414
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XCG.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 1313
Sortino Ratio Rank
XCG.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 1414
Omega Ratio Rank
XCG.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 1414
Calmar Ratio Rank
XCG.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 1515
Martin Ratio Rank
XGD.TO
XGD.TO Risk / Return Rank: 4646
Overall Rank
XGD.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4949
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XGD.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 4141
Sortino Ratio Rank
XGD.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 4747
Omega Ratio Rank
XGD.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5151
Calmar Ratio Rank
XGD.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 4141
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.

XCG.TO vs. XGD.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Canadian Growth Index ETF (XCG.TO) and iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF (XGD.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.

XCG.TOXGD.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.30
1.67

-1.37

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
0.52
2.04

-1.52

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.07

1.29

-0.22

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

0.39

2.47

-2.08

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

1.12

6.49

-5.36

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

XCG.TO vs. XGD.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XCG.TO Sharpe Ratio is 0.30, which is lower than the XGD.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.67. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XCG.TO and XGD.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.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

XCG.TOXGD.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.30

1.67

-1.37

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.53

0.70

-0.17

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.58

0.46

+0.13

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.37

0.25

+0.11

Drawdowns

XCG.TO vs. XGD.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XCG.TO drawdown since its inception was -52.64%, smaller than the maximum XGD.TO drawdown of -72.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XCG.TO and XGD.TO.

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Drawdown Indicators

XCG.TOXGD.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-52.64%

-72.55%

+19.91%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-15.27%

-28.95%

+13.68%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-15.27%

-28.95%

+13.68%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-21.61%

-40.82%

+19.21%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-32.14%

-46.96%

+14.82%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-6.45%

-21.88%

+15.43%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-10.87%

-28.30%

+17.43%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

5.26%

11.01%

-5.75%

Volatility

XCG.TO vs. XGD.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Canadian Growth Index ETF (XCG.TO) is 5.11%, while iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF (XGD.TO) has a volatility of 14.57%. This indicates that XCG.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XGD.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

XCG.TOXGD.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.11%

14.57%

-9.46%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

17.02%

34.39%

-17.37%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

20.07%

42.90%

-22.83%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

15.88%

32.65%

-16.77%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.48%

33.38%

-16.90%

XCG.TO vs. XGD.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

XCG.TO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than XGD.TO's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

XCG.TO vs. XGD.TO - Dividend Comparison

XCG.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.49%, less than XGD.TO's 0.59% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
XCG.TO
iShares Canadian Growth Index ETF		0.49%0.45%0.60%1.33%1.59%1.46%1.69%1.53%1.65%1.03%0.97%0.72%
XGD.TO
iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF		0.59%0.62%0.93%1.49%1.80%1.38%0.35%0.54%0.25%0.14%0.09%0.57%

Frequently Asked Questions

XCG.TO and XGD.TO have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, XCG.TO is cheaper at 0.55% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

XCG.TO is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for XGD.TO.

XCG.TO is categorized as Canada Equities, while XGD.TO is Precious Metals. XCG.TO tracks Morningstar Canada GR CAD, while XGD.TO tracks S&P/TSX Global Gold Index. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for XCG.TO and 0.61% for XGD.TO.

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