PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
XEF.TO vs. XSEA.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XEF.TO vs. XSEA.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XEF.TO (iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF) and XSEA.TO (iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE Index ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds from iShares - XEF.TO tracks the MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index (CAD) while XSEA.TO tracks the Morningstar DM xNA GR CAD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XEF.TO returned 10.89%/yr vs 10.75%/yr for XSEA.TO. A 0.78 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XEF.TO charges 0.23%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for XSEA.TO.

Performance

XEF.TO vs. XSEA.TO - 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 iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE Index ETF (XSEA.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with XEF.TO having a 9.95% return and XSEA.TO slightly lower at 9.71%.

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%

XSEA.TO

1D
-0.55%
1M
5.39%
YTD
9.71%
6M
9.76%
1Y
21.42%
3Y*
16.84%
5Y*
10.75%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

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

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
XEF.TO
iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF		9.95%25.69%12.04%15.21%-9.53%10.36%6.13%7.60%
XSEA.TO
iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE Index ETF		9.71%23.72%11.92%15.28%-8.97%11.09%6.08%8.09%

Correlation

The correlation between XEF.TO and XSEA.TO is 0.91, 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

0.91

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

0.87

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

0.82

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 27, 2019

0.78

The correlation between XEF.TO and XSEA.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (all time) to 0.91 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XEF.TO vs. XSEA.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
XEF.TO
XSEA.TO

Financial Services

22.9%
25.3%

Industrials

20.5%
16.6%

Technology

10.2%
12.0%

Healthcare

9.8%
9.3%

Consumer Cyclical

8.2%
7.5%

Basic Materials

6.6%
4.7%

Consumer Defensive

6.4%
6.3%

Communication Services

4.4%
3.8%

Energy

4.0%
3.1%

Utilities

3.8%
2.8%

Real Estate

3.1%
1.7%

Financial Services

XEF.TO
22.9%
XSEA.TO
25.3%

Industrials

XEF.TO
20.5%
XSEA.TO
16.6%

Technology

XEF.TO
10.2%
XSEA.TO
12.0%

Healthcare

XEF.TO
9.8%
XSEA.TO
9.3%

Consumer Cyclical

XEF.TO
8.2%
XSEA.TO
7.5%

Basic Materials

XEF.TO
6.6%
XSEA.TO
4.7%

Consumer Defensive

XEF.TO
6.4%
XSEA.TO
6.3%

Communication Services

XEF.TO
4.4%
XSEA.TO
3.8%

Energy

XEF.TO
4.0%
XSEA.TO
3.1%

Utilities

XEF.TO
3.8%
XSEA.TO
2.8%

Real Estate

XEF.TO
3.1%
XSEA.TO
1.7%

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

iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE Index 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 XSEA.TO:
XSEA.TO vs. XDSR.TOXSEA.TO vs. XSEM.TOXSEA.TO vs. XSUS.TOXSEA.TO vs. ESGDXSEA.TO vs. XAW.TOXSEA.TO vs. XEU.TOXSEA.TO vs. XEQT.TO

Return for Risk

XEF.TO vs. XSEA.TO — 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: 4747
Overall Rank
XEF.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4848
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XEF.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 4848
Sortino Ratio Rank
XEF.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 4848
Omega Ratio Rank
XEF.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 4141
Calmar Ratio Rank
XEF.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 4848
Martin Ratio Rank
XSEA.TO
XSEA.TO Risk / Return Rank: 4242
Overall Rank
XSEA.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4343
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XSEA.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 4343
Sortino Ratio Rank
XSEA.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 4444
Omega Ratio Rank
XSEA.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 3636
Calmar Ratio Rank
XSEA.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 4444
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. XSEA.TO - 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 iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE Index ETF (XSEA.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.TOXSEA.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.68
1.50

+0.18

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.41
2.16

+0.25

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.31

1.28

+0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.06

1.79

+0.27

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

8.22

7.13

+1.09

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.TO vs. XSEA.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XEF.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.68, which is comparable to the XSEA.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.50. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XEF.TO and XSEA.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.

Loading charts...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

XEF.TOXSEA.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.68

1.50

+0.18

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.81

0.69

+0.11

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.66

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.71

0.62

+0.09

Drawdowns

XEF.TO vs. XSEA.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XEF.TO drawdown since its inception was -28.51%, roughly equal to the maximum XSEA.TO drawdown of -28.64%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XEF.TO and XSEA.TO.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

XEF.TOXSEA.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-28.51%

-28.64%

+0.13%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-11.27%

-11.99%

+0.72%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.32%

-14.50%

+0.18%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.58%

-27.70%

+3.12%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-28.51%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.09%

-1.33%

+0.24%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.62%

-5.96%

+1.34%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.82%

3.01%

-0.19%

Volatility

XEF.TO vs. XSEA.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF.TO) is 4.77%, while iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE Index ETF (XSEA.TO) has a volatility of 5.05%. This indicates that XEF.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XSEA.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

XEF.TOXSEA.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.77%

5.05%

-0.28%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.56%

12.18%

-0.62%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.85%

14.37%

-0.52%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

13.58%

15.64%

-2.06%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

14.85%

16.87%

-2.02%

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

XEF.TO has a 0.23% expense ratio, which is lower than XSEA.TO's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

XEF.TO vs. XSEA.TO - Dividend Comparison

XEF.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.21%, which matches XSEA.TO's 2.21% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
XSEA.TO
iShares ESG Aware MSCI EAFE Index ETF		2.21%2.43%2.90%2.64%2.35%2.12%1.40%2.38%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.91, XEF.TO and XSEA.TO move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

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.

XEF.TO is cheaper with a 0.23% expense ratio, compared with 0.28% for XSEA.TO.

XEF.TO tracks MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index (CAD), while XSEA.TO tracks Morningstar DM xNA GR CAD. Their fees differ too: 0.23% for XEF.TO and 0.28% for XSEA.TO.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for XEF.TO and XSEA.TO

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer