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XEF.TO vs. VWO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XEF.TO vs. VWO

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

XEF.TO (iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF) and VWO (Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XEF.TO is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index (CAD), while VWO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the FTSE Emerging Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XEF.TO returned 10.64%/yr vs 9.93%/yr for VWO. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XEF.TO charges 0.23%/yr vs 0.08%/yr for VWO.

Performance

XEF.TO vs. VWO - Performance Comparison

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

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Different Trading Currencies

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XEF.TO achieves a 11.50% return, which is significantly lower than VWO's 13.02% return. Over the past 10 years, XEF.TO has outperformed VWO with an annualized return of 10.64%, while VWO has yielded a comparatively lower 9.93% annualized return.

XEF.TO

1D
0.56%
1M
3.07%
YTD
11.50%
6M
12.67%
1Y
25.69%
3Y*
18.06%
5Y*
10.94%
10Y*
10.64%

VWO

1D
0.95%
1M
1.26%
YTD
13.02%
6M
14.18%
1Y
30.02%
3Y*
18.35%
5Y*
8.11%
10Y*
9.93%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XEF.TO vs. VWO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
XEF.TO
iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF		11.50%25.69%12.04%15.21%-9.53%10.35%6.13%15.85%-6.66%18.20%
VWO
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF		13.02%19.87%19.96%6.65%-12.78%1.21%12.44%15.77%-7.60%22.58%

Correlation

The correlation between XEF.TO and VWO is 0.68, 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

0.68

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

0.60

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

0.59

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

0.56

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 15, 2013

0.55

The correlation between XEF.TO and VWO shifts across timeframes, from 0.55 (all time) to 0.68 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XEF.TO vs. VWO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
XEF.TO
VWO

Financial Services

22.9%
19.5%

Industrials

20.5%
8.0%

Technology

10.2%
29.6%

Healthcare

9.8%
3.9%

Consumer Cyclical

8.2%
10.7%

Basic Materials

6.6%
8.0%

Consumer Defensive

6.4%
3.7%

Communication Services

4.4%
7.1%

Energy

4.0%
4.6%

Utilities

3.8%
2.9%

Real Estate

3.1%
2.2%

Financial Services

XEF.TO
22.9%
VWO
19.5%

Industrials

XEF.TO
20.5%
VWO
8.0%

Technology

XEF.TO
10.2%
VWO
29.6%

Healthcare

XEF.TO
9.8%
VWO
3.9%

Consumer Cyclical

XEF.TO
8.2%
VWO
10.7%

Basic Materials

XEF.TO
6.6%
VWO
8.0%

Consumer Defensive

XEF.TO
6.4%
VWO
3.7%

Communication Services

XEF.TO
4.4%
VWO
7.1%

Energy

XEF.TO
4.0%
VWO
4.6%

Utilities

XEF.TO
3.8%
VWO
2.9%

Real Estate

XEF.TO
3.1%
VWO
2.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF

Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF

Often compared with XEF.TO:
XEF.TO vs. XEC.TOXEF.TO vs. VIU.TOXEF.TO vs. ZEA.TOXEF.TO vs. XFH.TOXEF.TO vs. IEFAXEF.TO vs. XIC.TOXEF.TO vs. XEF-U.TO
Often compared with VWO:
VWO vs. VEAVWO vs. IEMGVWO vs. VXUSVWO vs. EEMVWO vs. VOOVWO vs. VTIVWO vs. VEMAX

Return for Risk

XEF.TO vs. VWO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XEF.TO
XEF.TO Risk / Return Rank: 5555
Overall Rank
XEF.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5656
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XEF.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 5858
Sortino Ratio Rank
XEF.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 5757
Omega Ratio Rank
XEF.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 4848
Calmar Ratio Rank
XEF.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 5555
Martin Ratio Rank
VWO
VWO Risk / Return Rank: 5050
Overall Rank
VWO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4949
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VWO Sortino Ratio Rank: 4747
Sortino Ratio Rank
VWO Omega Ratio Rank: 5151
Omega Ratio Rank
VWO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5050
Calmar Ratio Rank
VWO Martin Ratio Rank: 5252
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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF.TO) and Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO). 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.TOVWODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.67
1.64

+0.03

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.41
2.30

+0.11

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.31

1.30

+0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.14

2.57

-0.43

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.51

8.98

-0.48

XEF.TO vs. VWO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XEF.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.67, which is comparable to the VWO Sharpe Ratio of 1.64. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XEF.TO and VWO, 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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Drawdowns

XEF.TO vs. VWO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XEF.TO drawdown since its inception was -28.51%, smaller than the maximum VWO drawdown of -56.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XEF.TO and VWO.

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Drawdown Indicators

XEF.TOVWODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-28.51%

-56.70%

+28.19%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.27%

-10.70%

-0.57%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.31%

-15.30%

+0.99%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.58%

-25.37%

+0.79%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-28.51%

-29.47%

+0.96%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-1.74%

+1.74%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.61%

-11.28%

+6.67%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.83%

3.07%

-0.24%

Volatility

XEF.TO vs. VWO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF.TO) is 5.29%, while Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) has a volatility of 6.78%. This indicates that XEF.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VWO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

XEF.TOVWODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.29%

6.78%

-1.49%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

12.23%

14.35%

-2.12%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

14.43%

16.78%

-2.35%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

13.69%

18.53%

-4.84%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

14.87%

20.36%

-5.49%

XEF.TO vs. VWO - Expense Ratio Comparison

XEF.TO has a 0.23% expense ratio, which is higher than VWO's 0.08% 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.TO vs. VWO - Dividend Comparison

XEF.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.18%, less than VWO's 2.44% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VWO
Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF		2.44%2.79%3.20%3.52%4.11%2.63%1.91%3.23%2.88%2.30%2.52%3.26%
XEF.TO
iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF		2.18%2.43%2.76%2.75%2.93%2.42%1.93%2.71%2.75%2.11%2.45%2.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

XEF.TO and VWO have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, VWO is cheaper at 0.08% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

VWO is cheaper with a 0.08% expense ratio, compared with 0.23% for XEF.TO.

XEF.TO is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while VWO is Emerging Markets Equities. XEF.TO tracks MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index (CAD), while VWO tracks FTSE Emerging Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.23% for XEF.TO and 0.08% for VWO.

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