XSMC.TO vs. XEI.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XSMC.TO (iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETF) and XEI.TO (iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XSMC.TO is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while XEI.TO is a Canada Equities fund tracking the S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XSMC.TO returned 8.32%/yr vs 15.55%/yr for XEI.TO. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.22% expense ratio.

Performance

XSMC.TO vs. XEI.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETF (XSMC.TO) and iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF (XEI.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XSMC.TO achieves a 16.67% return, which is significantly lower than XEI.TO's 22.21% return.

XSMC.TO

• 1D: -0.44%
• 1M: 3.55%
• YTD: 16.67%
• 6M: 13.55%
• 1Y: 32.62%
• 3Y*: 15.37%
• 5Y*: 8.32%
• 10Y*: —

XEI.TO

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 3.33%
• YTD: 22.21%
• 6M: 23.56%
• 1Y: 43.59%
• 3Y*: 22.26%
• 5Y*: 15.55%
• 10Y*: 12.32%

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

XSMC.TO vs. XEI.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
XSMC.TO iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETF	16.67%	0.80%	17.06%	13.24%	-10.56%	25.12%	8.66%	3.84%
XEI.TO iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF	22.21%	25.96%	15.42%	6.69%	0.41%	35.88%	-7.53%	5.45%

Correlation

The correlation between XSMC.TO and XEI.TO is 0.38, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.38
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.55
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 13, 2019	0.55

The correlation between XSMC.TO and XEI.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.38 (1 year) to 0.55 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XSMC.TO vs. XEI.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	XSMC.TO	XEI.TO
Financial Services	16.4%	31.4%
Industrials	16.1%	0.7%
Technology	16.0%	0.7%
Consumer Cyclical	12.9%	6.2%
Healthcare	10.8%	0.2%
Real Estate	7.4%	4.8%
Energy	7.0%	32.1%
Basic Materials	4.6%	4.6%
Consumer Defensive	3.4%	0.5%
Communication Services	3.2%	7.6%
Utilities	1.8%	11.2%

Return for Risk

XSMC.TO vs. XEI.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

XSMC.TO

XSMC.TO Risk / Return Rank: 62
XSMC.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
XSMC.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 57
XSMC.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 50
XSMC.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
XSMC.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 73

XEI.TO

XEI.TO Risk / Return Rank: 98
XEI.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
XEI.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
XEI.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 98
XEI.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
XEI.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 98

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.

XSMC.TO vs. XEI.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETF (XSMC.TO) and iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF (XEI.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.

	XSMC.TO	XEI.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.84	6.08	-4.24
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.73	9.07	-6.33
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	2.27	-0.96
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.86	19.53	-15.66
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.56	66.28	-52.73
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

XSMC.TO vs. XEI.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSMC.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.84, which is lower than the XEI.TO Sharpe Ratio of 6.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSMC.TO and XEI.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

	XSMC.TO	XEI.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.84	6.08	-4.24
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43	1.39	-0.97
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.77	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.67	-0.21

Drawdowns

XSMC.TO vs. XEI.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSMC.TO drawdown since its inception was -37.30%, smaller than the maximum XEI.TO drawdown of -45.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSMC.TO and XEI.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	XSMC.TO	XEI.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.30%	-45.51%	+8.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.48%	-2.24%	-6.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.05%	-9.92%	-17.13%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.05%	-17.32%	-9.73%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-45.51%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.44%	-0.76%	+0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-8.09%	-5.05%	-3.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.41%	0.66%	+1.75%

Volatility

XSMC.TO vs. XEI.TO - Volatility Comparison

iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETF (XSMC.TO) has a higher volatility of 4.12% compared to iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF (XEI.TO) at 2.87%. This indicates that XSMC.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XEI.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	XSMC.TO	XEI.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.12%	2.87%	+1.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.75%	6.01%	+5.74%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.89%	7.21%	+10.68%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.58%	11.24%	+8.34%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.30%	16.01%	+7.29%

XSMC.TO vs. XEI.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both XSMC.TO and XEI.TO have an expense ratio of 0.22%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

XSMC.TO vs. XEI.TO - Dividend Comparison

XSMC.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.99%, less than XEI.TO's 3.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
XEI.TO iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF	3.56%	4.39%	5.56%	5.08%	4.78%	3.65%	5.13%	4.71%	5.53%	4.37%	4.51%	5.75%
XSMC.TO iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETF	0.99%	1.16%	1.74%	1.00%	1.09%	1.19%	0.78%	0.60%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XSMC.TO and XEI.TO in my portfolio?

XSMC.TO and XEI.TO have a correlation of 0.38, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, XSMC.TO or XEI.TO?

Both ETFs have the same 0.22% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XSMC.TO or XEI.TO?

XSMC.TO and XEI.TO have the same expense ratio: 0.22% per year.

What is the main difference between XSMC.TO and XEI.TO?

XSMC.TO is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while XEI.TO is Canada Equities. XSMC.TO tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index, while XEI.TO tracks S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index.