XEF-U.TO vs. XML.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XEF-U.TO (iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF) and XML.TO (iShares MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)) are both Global Equities funds from iShares - XEF-U.TO tracks the MSCI EAFE® Investable Market Index while XML.TO tracks the MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility (USD) 100% Hedged to CAD Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XEF-U.TO returned 7.17%/yr vs 6.32%/yr for XML.TO. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XEF-U.TO charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for XML.TO.

Performance

XEF-U.TO vs. XML.TO - 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 iShares MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XML.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XEF-U.TO achieves a 8.45% return, which is significantly higher than XML.TO's 2.60% return.

XEF-U.TO

• 1D: -0.76%
• 1M: 3.58%
• YTD: 8.45%
• 6M: 10.90%
• 1Y: 20.77%
• 3Y*: 15.95%
• 5Y*: 7.17%
• 10Y*: —

XML.TO

• 1D: -0.52%
• 1M: -2.88%
• YTD: 2.60%
• 6M: 5.71%
• 1Y: 8.31%
• 3Y*: 11.72%
• 5Y*: 6.32%
• 10Y*: 6.58%

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

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

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
XEF-U.TO iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF	8.45%	31.24%	2.23%	15.90%	-15.58%	10.81%	10.61%	1.79%
XML.TO iShares MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	2.60%	23.20%	5.11%	14.24%	-13.17%	14.10%	-3.98%	1.53%

Correlation

The correlation between XEF-U.TO and XML.TO is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.42
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.38
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 30, 2019	0.35

The correlation between XEF-U.TO and XML.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.35 (all time) to 0.49 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

XEF-U.TO vs. XML.TO — 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: 38
XEF-U.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 38
XEF-U.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 37
XEF-U.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 38
XEF-U.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 36
XEF-U.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 42

XML.TO

XML.TO Risk / Return Rank: 35
XML.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
XML.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
XML.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 35
XML.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 40
XML.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 36

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. XML.TO - 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 iShares MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XML.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.

	XEF-U.TO	XML.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.38	0.88	+0.50
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.96	1.28	+0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.26	1.16	+0.09
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.80	1.39	+0.41
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.90	3.86	+3.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

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

The current XEF-U.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.38, which is higher than the XML.TO Sharpe Ratio of 0.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XEF-U.TO and XML.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

	XEF-U.TO	XML.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.38	0.88	+0.50
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.53	0.51	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.44	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.68	0.44	+0.24

Drawdowns

XEF-U.TO vs. XML.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XEF-U.TO drawdown since its inception was -33.72%, roughly equal to the maximum XML.TO drawdown of -32.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XEF-U.TO and XML.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	XEF-U.TO	XML.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.72%	-32.72%	-1.00%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.67%	-6.00%	-5.67%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.48%	-8.77%	-4.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-31.18%	-20.55%	-10.63%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-32.72%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.58%	-6.00%	+4.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.61%	-5.06%	-0.55%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.03%	2.16%	+0.87%

Volatility

XEF-U.TO vs. XML.TO - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF-U.TO) has a higher volatility of 5.01% compared to iShares MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XML.TO) at 2.81%. This indicates that XEF-U.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XML.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XEF-U.TO	XML.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.01%	2.81%	+2.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.61%	7.46%	+5.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.24%	9.49%	+5.75%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.28%	12.46%	+8.82%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.41%	14.95%	+9.46%

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

XEF-U.TO has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is lower than XML.TO's 0.40% expense ratio.

Dividends

XEF-U.TO vs. XML.TO - Dividend Comparison

XEF-U.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.63%, less than XML.TO's 2.66% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
XEF-U.TO iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF	1.63%	1.77%	2.05%	2.09%	2.27%	1.94%	1.41%	0.77%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XML.TO iShares MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)	2.66%	2.76%	2.67%	2.56%	2.02%	1.92%	1.11%	3.62%	2.77%	1.92%	3.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

XEF-U.TO and XML.TO have a correlation of 0.49, 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 XML.TO?

On fees, XEF-U.TO is cheaper at 0.21% 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 XML.TO?

XEF-U.TO is cheaper with a 0.21% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for XML.TO.

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

XEF-U.TO tracks MSCI EAFE® Investable Market Index, while XML.TO tracks MSCI EAFE Minimum Volatility (USD) 100% Hedged to CAD Index. Their fees differ too: 0.21% for XEF-U.TO and 0.40% for XML.TO.