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XSEM.TO vs. XSP.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XSEM.TO vs. XSP.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XSEM.TO (iShares ESG Aware MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF) and XSP.TO (iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)) are both exchange-traded funds - XSEM.TO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the Morningstar EM GR CAD, while XSP.TO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XSEM.TO returned 9.59%/yr vs 12.18%/yr for XSP.TO. At a 0.45 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XSEM.TO charges 0.32%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for XSP.TO.

Performance

XSEM.TO vs. XSP.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 Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XSP.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XSEM.TO achieves a 28.13% return, which is significantly higher than XSP.TO's 9.64% return.

XSEM.TO

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

XSP.TO

1D
-0.73%
1M
4.98%
YTD
9.64%
6M
9.50%
1Y
25.13%
3Y*
20.28%
5Y*
12.18%
10Y*
13.79%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XSEM.TO vs. XSP.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%
XSP.TO
iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)		9.64%15.68%23.39%24.33%-19.32%27.85%15.17%15.82%

Correlation

The correlation between XSEM.TO and XSP.TO is 0.66, 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

0.66

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

0.57

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

0.50

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

0.45

Over the past year, XSEM.TO and XSP.TO have become more correlated (0.66) than their long-term average of 0.45, meaning their price movements have been converging.

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

Sectors
XSEM.TO
XSP.TO

Technology

37.0%
36.2%

Financial Services

24.1%
11.9%

Consumer Cyclical

9.7%
10.1%

Communication Services

8.4%
10.9%

Industrials

5.6%
8.1%

Basic Materials

4.5%
1.8%

Healthcare

2.8%
8.4%

Energy

2.7%
3.5%

Consumer Defensive

2.3%
4.9%

Utilities

1.7%
2.3%

Real Estate

1.2%
1.9%

Technology

XSEM.TO
37.0%
XSP.TO
36.2%

Financial Services

XSEM.TO
24.1%
XSP.TO
11.9%

Consumer Cyclical

XSEM.TO
9.7%
XSP.TO
10.1%

Communication Services

XSEM.TO
8.4%
XSP.TO
10.9%

Industrials

XSEM.TO
5.6%
XSP.TO
8.1%

Basic Materials

XSEM.TO
4.5%
XSP.TO
1.8%

Healthcare

XSEM.TO
2.8%
XSP.TO
8.4%

Energy

XSEM.TO
2.7%
XSP.TO
3.5%

Consumer Defensive

XSEM.TO
2.3%
XSP.TO
4.9%

Utilities

XSEM.TO
1.7%
XSP.TO
2.3%

Real Estate

XSEM.TO
1.2%
XSP.TO
1.9%

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 Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)

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 XSP.TO:
XSP.TO vs. XUS.TOXSP.TO vs. XEQT.TOXSP.TO vs. ZSP.TOXSP.TO vs. VSP.TOXSP.TO vs. XIU.TOXSP.TO vs. VFVAXSP.TO vs. XQQ.TO

Return for Risk

XSEM.TO vs. XSP.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
XSP.TO
XSP.TO Risk / Return Rank: 6161
Overall Rank
XSP.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6363
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XSP.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 6262
Sortino Ratio Rank
XSP.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 6262
Omega Ratio Rank
XSP.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5353
Calmar Ratio Rank
XSP.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 6666
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. XSP.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 Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XSP.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.TOXSP.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.96
2.15

+0.81

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.78
2.96

+0.81

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.54

1.39

+0.15

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

4.69

2.68

+2.00

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

17.06

12.40

+4.66

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. XSP.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSEM.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.96, which is higher than the XSP.TO Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSEM.TO and XSP.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.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

XSEM.TOXSP.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.96

2.15

+0.81

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.57

0.73

-0.17

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.76

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.55

0.37

+0.19

Drawdowns

XSEM.TO vs. XSP.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSEM.TO drawdown since its inception was -37.03%, smaller than the maximum XSP.TO drawdown of -57.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSEM.TO and XSP.TO.

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Drawdown Indicators

XSEM.TOXSP.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-37.03%

-57.82%

+20.79%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-12.30%

-9.41%

-2.89%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-15.17%

-18.77%

+3.60%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-33.18%

-25.44%

-7.74%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-36.05%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.86%

-0.73%

-0.13%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-13.17%

-12.11%

-1.06%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.37%

2.03%

+1.34%

Volatility

XSEM.TO vs. XSP.TO - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Aware MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF (XSEM.TO) has a higher volatility of 8.35% compared to iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XSP.TO) at 3.25%. This indicates that XSEM.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XSP.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

XSEM.TOXSP.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

8.35%

3.25%

+5.10%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

17.02%

8.99%

+8.03%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

19.47%

11.75%

+7.72%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

17.06%

16.75%

+0.31%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

18.26%

18.19%

+0.07%

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

XSEM.TO has a 0.32% expense ratio, which is higher than XSP.TO's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

XSEM.TO vs. XSP.TO - Dividend Comparison

XSEM.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.41%, more than XSP.TO's 1.12% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
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%
XSP.TO
iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)		1.12%1.23%1.09%1.18%1.37%1.00%1.31%1.73%1.84%1.47%1.75%1.86%

Frequently Asked Questions

XSEM.TO and XSP.TO have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, XSP.TO is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

XSP.TO is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.32% for XSEM.TO.

XSEM.TO is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while XSP.TO is S&P 500. XSEM.TO tracks Morningstar EM GR CAD, while XSP.TO tracks S&P 500 Index. Their fees differ too: 0.32% for XSEM.TO and 0.09% for XSP.TO.

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