XEF-U.TO vs. VXUS

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

XEF-U.TO (iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF) and VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF) are both Global Equities funds - XEF-U.TO tracks the MSCI EAFE® Investable Market Index while VXUS tracks the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XEF-U.TO returned 5.98%/yr vs 9.32%/yr for VXUS. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XEF-U.TO charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VXUS.

Performance

XEF-U.TO vs. VXUS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF-U.TO) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XEF-U.TO achieves a 8.47% return, which is significantly lower than VXUS's 10.72% return. Over the past 10 years, XEF-U.TO has underperformed VXUS with an annualized return of 5.98%, while VXUS has yielded a comparatively higher 9.32% annualized return.

XEF-U.TO

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: -1.22%
• 6M: 5.26%
• YTD: 8.47%
• 1Y: 19.82%
• 3Y*: 15.14%
• 5Y*: 8.36%
• 10Y*: 5.98%
• ALL TIME*: 6.68%

VXUS

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: -4.26%
• 6M: 6.22%
• YTD: 10.72%
• 1Y: 23.69%
• 3Y*: 16.64%
• 5Y*: 8.40%
• 10Y*: 9.32%
• ALL TIME*: 6.44%

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

XEF-U.TO vs. VXUS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
XEF-U.TO iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF	8.47%	31.70%	3.03%	16.71%	-14.95%	11.35%	10.30%	-12.37%	-7.24%	17.11%
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	10.72%	32.35%	5.08%	15.86%	-16.08%	8.98%	10.66%	21.75%	-14.43%	27.46%

Correlation

The correlation between XEF-U.TO and VXUS is 0.88, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.88
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.70
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.59
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 10, 2013	0.51

Over the past year, XEF-U.TO and VXUS have become more correlated (0.88) than their long-term average of 0.51, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

XEF-U.TO vs. VXUS — Risk / Return Rank

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

XEF-U.TO

XEF-U.TO Risk / Return Rank: 50
XEF-U.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
XEF-U.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 52
XEF-U.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 51
XEF-U.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
XEF-U.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 52

VXUS

VXUS Risk / Return Rank: 56
VXUS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
VXUS Sortino Ratio Rank: 53
VXUS Omega Ratio Rank: 56
VXUS Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
VXUS Martin Ratio Rank: 61

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.

XEF-U.TO vs. VXUS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF-U.TO) and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS). 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.

	XEF-U.TO	VXUS	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.33	1.43	-0.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.93	1.99	-0.06
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.26	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.74	2.11	-0.37
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.60	7.84	-1.24

XEF-U.TO vs. VXUS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XEF-U.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.33, which is comparable to the VXUS Sharpe Ratio of 1.43. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XEF-U.TO and VXUS, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

XEF-U.TO vs. VXUS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XEF-U.TO drawdown since its inception was -46.92%, which is greater than VXUS's maximum drawdown of -35.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XEF-U.TO and VXUS.

Drawdown Indicators

	XEF-U.TO	VXUS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-46.92%	-35.97%	-10.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.57%	-11.27%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.85%	-13.58%	-0.27%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.71%	-29.44%	-1.27%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-46.92%	-35.97%	-10.95%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.81%	-4.58%	+1.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.17%	-8.17%	0.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	3.03%	-0.01%

Volatility

XEF-U.TO vs. VXUS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF-U.TO) is 3.74%, while Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has a volatility of 5.31%. This indicates that XEF-U.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VXUS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XEF-U.TO	VXUS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.74%	5.31%	-1.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.03%	14.80%	-1.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.15%	16.68%	-1.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.22%	16.30%	+0.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.45%	17.00%	+0.45%

XEF-U.TO vs. VXUS - Expense Ratio Comparison

XEF-U.TO has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is higher than VXUS's 0.05% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

XEF-U.TO vs. VXUS - Dividend Comparison

XEF-U.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.39%, less than VXUS's 2.63% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF	2.63%	3.18%	3.37%	3.24%	3.09%	3.10%	2.14%	3.06%	3.18%	2.73%	2.93%	2.83%
XEF-U.TO iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF	2.39%	2.44%	2.85%	2.76%	2.98%	2.43%	1.86%	2.72%	2.07%	1.62%	1.84%	1.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XEF-U.TO and VXUS in my portfolio?

XEF-U.TO and VXUS have a correlation of 0.88, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XEF-U.TO or VXUS?

On fees, VXUS is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XEF-U.TO or VXUS?

VXUS is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.21% for XEF-U.TO.

What is the main difference between XEF-U.TO and VXUS?

XEF-U.TO tracks MSCI EAFE® Investable Market Index, while VXUS tracks FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.21% for XEF-U.TO and 0.05% for VXUS.