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

XSMH.TO vs. XEF.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

XSMH.TO (iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)) and XEF.TO (iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XSMH.TO is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the S&P SmallCap 600 Index (CAD Hedged), while XEF.TO is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index (CAD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, XSMH.TO returned 3.80%/yr vs 10.89%/yr for XEF.TO. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XSMH.TO charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for XEF.TO.

Performance

XSMH.TO vs. XEF.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 (CAD-Hedged) (XSMH.TO) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF.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, XSMH.TO achieves a 13.91% return, which is significantly higher than XEF.TO's 9.95% return.

XSMH.TO

1D
-1.78%
1M
1.56%
YTD
13.91%
6M
12.54%
1Y
28.10%
3Y*
12.01%
5Y*
3.80%
10Y*
—

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

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

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
XSMH.TO
iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)		13.91%3.85%6.79%14.36%-17.98%26.43%7.18%5.17%
XEF.TO
iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF		9.95%25.69%12.04%15.21%-9.53%10.36%6.13%5.82%

Correlation

The correlation between XSMH.TO and XEF.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

0.58

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

0.56

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 13, 2019

0.51

The correlation between XSMH.TO and XEF.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.51 (all time) to 0.66 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

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

Sectors
XSMH.TO
XEF.TO

Financial Services

17.0%
22.9%

Industrials

16.3%
20.5%

Technology

16.2%
10.2%

Consumer Cyclical

12.7%
8.2%

Healthcare

11.0%
9.8%

Real Estate

7.6%
3.1%

Energy

7.3%
4.0%

Basic Materials

4.6%
6.6%

Consumer Defensive

3.3%
6.4%

Communication Services

3.1%
4.4%

Utilities

1.9%
3.8%

Financial Services

XSMH.TO
17.0%
XEF.TO
22.9%

Industrials

XSMH.TO
16.3%
XEF.TO
20.5%

Technology

XSMH.TO
16.2%
XEF.TO
10.2%

Consumer Cyclical

XSMH.TO
12.7%
XEF.TO
8.2%

Healthcare

XSMH.TO
11.0%
XEF.TO
9.8%

Real Estate

XSMH.TO
7.6%
XEF.TO
3.1%

Energy

XSMH.TO
7.3%
XEF.TO
4.0%

Basic Materials

XSMH.TO
4.6%
XEF.TO
6.6%

Consumer Defensive

XSMH.TO
3.3%
XEF.TO
6.4%

Communication Services

XSMH.TO
3.1%
XEF.TO
4.4%

Utilities

XSMH.TO
1.9%
XEF.TO
3.8%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)

iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF

Often compared with XSMH.TO:
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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

Return for Risk

XSMH.TO vs. XEF.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XSMH.TO
XSMH.TO Risk / Return Rank: 5252
Overall Rank
XSMH.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4545
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XSMH.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 4848
Sortino Ratio Rank
XSMH.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 4444
Omega Ratio Rank
XSMH.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 6363
Calmar Ratio Rank
XSMH.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 5959
Martin Ratio Rank
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
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.

XSMH.TO vs. XEF.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 (CAD-Hedged) (XSMH.TO) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF.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.

XSMH.TOXEF.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.58
1.68

-0.10

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.38
2.41

-0.03

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.28

1.31

-0.03

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.12

2.06

+1.06

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.36

8.22

+2.13

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

XSMH.TO vs. XEF.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSMH.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.58, which is comparable to the XEF.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.68. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSMH.TO and XEF.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

XSMH.TOXEF.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.58

1.68

-0.10

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.18

0.81

-0.63

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.66

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.32

0.71

-0.38

Drawdowns

XSMH.TO vs. XEF.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSMH.TO drawdown since its inception was -45.43%, which is greater than XEF.TO's maximum drawdown of -28.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSMH.TO and XEF.TO.

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Drawdown Indicators

XSMH.TOXEF.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-45.43%

-28.51%

-16.92%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.05%

-11.27%

+2.22%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-28.90%

-14.32%

-14.58%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-28.90%

-24.58%

-4.32%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-28.51%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.78%

-1.09%

-0.69%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-11.41%

-4.62%

-6.79%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.72%

2.82%

-0.10%

Volatility

XSMH.TO vs. XEF.TO - Volatility Comparison

iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XSMH.TO) and iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI Index ETF (XEF.TO) have volatilities of 4.82% and 4.77%, 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.

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Volatility by Period

XSMH.TOXEF.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.82%

4.77%

+0.05%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

11.77%

11.56%

+0.21%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

17.94%

13.85%

+4.09%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

21.35%

13.58%

+7.77%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

25.08%

14.85%

+10.23%

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

XSMH.TO has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than XEF.TO's 0.23% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

XSMH.TO vs. XEF.TO - Dividend Comparison

XSMH.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.00%, less than XEF.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%
XSMH.TO
iShares S&P U.S. Small-Cap Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)		1.00%1.14%1.72%0.81%0.93%1.07%0.43%1.59%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

XSMH.TO and XEF.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, XSMH.TO is cheaper at 0.22% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

XSMH.TO is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.23% for XEF.TO.

XSMH.TO is categorized as Small Cap Blend Equities, while XEF.TO is Foreign Large Cap Equities. XSMH.TO tracks S&P SmallCap 600 Index (CAD Hedged), while XEF.TO tracks MSCI EAFE Investable Market Index (CAD). Their fees differ too: 0.22% for XSMH.TO and 0.23% for XEF.TO.

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