XDNA.TO vs. XEF.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XDNA.TO (iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare Index ETF) and XEF.TO (iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XDNA.TO is a Health & Biotech Equities fund tracking the NYSE FactSet Global Genomics and Immuno Biopharma Index, while XEF.TO is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index (CAD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, XDNA.TO returned 7.28%/yr vs 17.83%/yr for XEF.TO. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XDNA.TO charges 0.44%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for XEF.TO.

Performance

XDNA.TO vs. XEF.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare Index ETF (XDNA.TO) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with XDNA.TO having a 10.45% return and XEF.TO slightly lower at 9.95%.

XDNA.TO

• 1D: -1.95%
• 1M: -1.11%
• YTD: 10.45%
• 6M: 9.39%
• 1Y: 40.18%
• 3Y*: 7.28%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XEF.TO

• 1D: -0.41%
• 1M: 5.38%
• YTD: 9.95%
• 6M: 10.72%
• 1Y: 23.12%
• 3Y*: 17.83%
• 5Y*: 10.89%
• 10Y*: 9.77%

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

XDNA.TO vs. XEF.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022
XDNA.TO iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare Index ETF	10.45%	12.10%	5.54%	-7.84%	-13.38%
XEF.TO iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF	9.95%	25.69%	12.04%	15.21%	2.29%

Correlation

The correlation between XDNA.TO and XEF.TO is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 4, 2022	0.18

Return for Risk

XDNA.TO vs. XEF.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

XDNA.TO

XDNA.TO Risk / Return Rank: 59
XDNA.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
XDNA.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
XDNA.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 48
XDNA.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
XDNA.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 62

XEF.TO

XEF.TO Risk / Return Rank: 47
XEF.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
XEF.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
XEF.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 48
XEF.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
XEF.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

XDNA.TO vs. XEF.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare Index ETF (XDNA.TO) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF.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.

	XDNA.TO	XEF.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.65	1.68	-0.03
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.45	2.41	+0.04
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.31	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.67	2.06	+2.61
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.95	8.22	+2.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XDNA.TO vs. XEF.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XDNA.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.65, which is comparable to the XEF.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XDNA.TO and XEF.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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	XDNA.TO	XEF.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.65	1.68	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.81	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.66	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.04	0.71	-0.67

Drawdowns

XDNA.TO vs. XEF.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XDNA.TO drawdown since its inception was -45.90%, which is greater than XEF.TO's maximum drawdown of -28.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XDNA.TO and XEF.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	XDNA.TO	XEF.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-45.90%	-28.51%	-17.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.64%	-11.27%	+2.63%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-28.29%	-14.32%	-13.97%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-24.58%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-28.51%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.95%	-1.09%	-7.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-23.55%	-4.62%	-18.93%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.68%	2.82%	+0.86%

Volatility

XDNA.TO vs. XEF.TO - Volatility Comparison

iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare Index ETF (XDNA.TO) has a higher volatility of 6.47% compared to iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF.TO) at 4.77%. This indicates that XDNA.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XEF.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XDNA.TO	XEF.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.47%	4.77%	+1.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.03%	11.56%	+6.47%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.71%	13.85%	+10.86%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.32%	13.58%	+11.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	25.32%	14.85%	+10.47%

XDNA.TO vs. XEF.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

XDNA.TO has a 0.44% expense ratio, which is higher than XEF.TO's 0.23% expense ratio.

Dividends

XDNA.TO vs. XEF.TO - Dividend Comparison

XDNA.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.39%, less than XEF.TO's 2.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XDNA.TO iShares Genomics Immunology and Healthcare Index ETF	0.39%	0.43%	0.32%	0.25%	0.32%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XEF.TO iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF	2.21%	2.43%	2.76%	2.75%	2.93%	2.42%	1.93%	2.72%	2.76%	2.10%	2.42%	2.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XDNA.TO and XEF.TO in my portfolio?

XDNA.TO and XEF.TO have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XDNA.TO or XEF.TO?

On fees, XEF.TO is cheaper at 0.23% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XDNA.TO or XEF.TO?

XEF.TO is cheaper with a 0.23% expense ratio, compared with 0.44% for XDNA.TO.

What is the main difference between XDNA.TO and XEF.TO?

XDNA.TO is categorized as Health & Biotech Equities, while XEF.TO is Foreign Large Cap Equities. XDNA.TO tracks NYSE FactSet Global Genomics and Immuno Biopharma Index, while XEF.TO tracks MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index (CAD). Their fees differ too: 0.44% for XDNA.TO and 0.23% for XEF.TO.