PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
XSEM.TO vs. XEM.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XSEM.TO vs. XEM.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XSEM.TO (iShares ESG Aware MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF) and XEM.TO (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF) are both Emerging Markets Equities funds from iShares tracking the Morningstar EM GR CAD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XSEM.TO returned 9.59%/yr vs 9.57%/yr for XEM.TO. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XSEM.TO charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.81%/yr for XEM.TO.

Performance

XSEM.TO vs. XEM.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in iShares ESG Aware MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF (XSEM.TO) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF (XEM.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with XSEM.TO having a 28.13% return and XEM.TO slightly higher at 29.23%.

XSEM.TO

1D
-0.86%
1M
12.07%
YTD
28.13%
6M
29.29%
1Y
57.34%
3Y*
25.23%
5Y*
9.59%
10Y*
—

XEM.TO

1D
-0.85%
1M
11.30%
YTD
29.23%
6M
29.57%
1Y
57.02%
3Y*
24.75%
5Y*
9.57%
10Y*
10.27%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XSEM.TO vs. XEM.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
XSEM.TO
iShares ESG Aware MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF		28.13%30.16%14.82%7.04%-17.24%-3.58%15.66%5.23%
XEM.TO
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF		29.23%27.25%14.98%6.49%-15.74%-4.09%14.12%4.54%

Correlation

The correlation between XSEM.TO and XEM.TO is 0.94, 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

0.94

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

0.92

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

0.89

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2019

0.79

The correlation between XSEM.TO and XEM.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.79 (all time) to 0.94 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XSEM.TO vs. XEM.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
XSEM.TO
XEM.TO

Technology

37.0%
37.0%

Financial Services

24.1%
19.4%

Consumer Cyclical

9.7%
9.6%

Communication Services

8.4%
6.9%

Industrials

5.6%
7.5%

Basic Materials

4.5%
6.5%

Healthcare

2.8%
2.9%

Energy

2.7%
4.0%

Consumer Defensive

2.3%
3.0%

Utilities

1.7%
2.1%

Real Estate

1.2%
1.1%

Technology

XSEM.TO
37.0%
XEM.TO
37.0%

Financial Services

XSEM.TO
24.1%
XEM.TO
19.4%

Consumer Cyclical

XSEM.TO
9.7%
XEM.TO
9.6%

Communication Services

XSEM.TO
8.4%
XEM.TO
6.9%

Industrials

XSEM.TO
5.6%
XEM.TO
7.5%

Basic Materials

XSEM.TO
4.5%
XEM.TO
6.5%

Healthcare

XSEM.TO
2.8%
XEM.TO
2.9%

Energy

XSEM.TO
2.7%
XEM.TO
4.0%

Consumer Defensive

XSEM.TO
2.3%
XEM.TO
3.0%

Utilities

XSEM.TO
1.7%
XEM.TO
2.1%

Real Estate

XSEM.TO
1.2%
XEM.TO
1.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

iShares ESG Aware MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF

Often compared with XSEM.TO:
XSEM.TO vs. XDSR.TOXSEM.TO vs. XMM.TOXSEM.TO vs. XEQT.TOXSEM.TO vs. XEC.TOXSEM.TO vs. XEF.TOXSEM.TO vs. VE.TOXSEM.TO vs. ZEM.TO
Often compared with XEM.TO:
XEM.TO vs. XEC.TOXEM.TO vs. XEF.TOXEM.TO vs. XEQT.TOXEM.TO vs. ZEA.TOXEM.TO vs. VXC.TOXEM.TO vs. VOOXEM.TO vs. VFV.TO

Return for Risk

XSEM.TO vs. XEM.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XSEM.TO
XSEM.TO Risk / Return Rank: 8585
Overall Rank
XSEM.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8888
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XSEM.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 8383
Sortino Ratio Rank
XSEM.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 8686
Omega Ratio Rank
XSEM.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 8585
Calmar Ratio Rank
XSEM.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 8383
Martin Ratio Rank
XEM.TO
XEM.TO Risk / Return Rank: 8585
Overall Rank
XEM.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8888
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XEM.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 8484
Sortino Ratio Rank
XEM.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 8787
Omega Ratio Rank
XEM.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 8585
Calmar Ratio Rank
XEM.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 8383
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.

XSEM.TO vs. XEM.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF (XSEM.TO) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF (XEM.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.

XSEM.TOXEM.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.96
2.97

-0.01

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.78
3.85

-0.07

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.54

1.55

-0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.69

4.67

+0.02

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

17.06

17.00

+0.06

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XSEM.TO vs. XEM.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSEM.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.96, which is comparable to the XEM.TO Sharpe Ratio of 2.97. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSEM.TO and XEM.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

XSEM.TOXEM.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.96

2.97

-0.01

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.57

0.58

-0.01

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.57

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.55

0.43

+0.12

Drawdowns

XSEM.TO vs. XEM.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSEM.TO drawdown since its inception was -37.03%, roughly equal to the maximum XEM.TO drawdown of -35.29%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSEM.TO and XEM.TO.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

XSEM.TOXEM.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-37.03%

-35.29%

-1.74%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.30%

-12.27%

-0.03%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-15.17%

-15.30%

+0.13%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-33.18%

-31.08%

-2.10%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-35.29%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.86%

-0.85%

-0.01%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-13.17%

-10.45%

-2.72%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.37%

3.36%

+0.01%

Volatility

XSEM.TO vs. XEM.TO - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Aware MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF (XSEM.TO) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF (XEM.TO) have volatilities of 8.35% and 8.30%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

XSEM.TOXEM.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

8.35%

8.30%

+0.05%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

17.02%

16.79%

+0.23%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.47%

19.28%

+0.19%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.06%

16.84%

+0.22%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.26%

18.12%

+0.14%

XSEM.TO vs. XEM.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

XSEM.TO has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is lower than XEM.TO's 0.81% expense ratio.

Dividends

XSEM.TO vs. XEM.TO - Dividend Comparison

XSEM.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.41%, less than XEM.TO's 1.47% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
XEM.TO
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF		1.47%1.90%2.08%2.39%2.10%1.91%1.28%2.57%1.96%1.78%1.96%2.22%
XSEM.TO
iShares ESG Aware MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF		1.41%1.80%2.12%1.12%2.29%2.50%1.16%2.46%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

With a correlation of 0.94, XSEM.TO and XEM.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, XSEM.TO is cheaper at 0.32% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

XSEM.TO is cheaper with a 0.32% expense ratio, compared with 0.81% for XEM.TO.

Both ETFs track Morningstar EM GR CAD. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for XSEM.TO and 0.81% for XEM.TO.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for XSEM.TO and XEM.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