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XUS.TO vs. VDY.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

XUS.TO vs. VDY.TO

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

XUS.TO (iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF) and VDY.TO (Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XUS.TO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while VDY.TO is a Dividend fund tracking the FTSE Canada High Dividend Yield Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, XUS.TO returned 17.59%/yr vs 14.58%/yr for VDY.TO. A 0.50 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. XUS.TO charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for VDY.TO.

Performance

XUS.TO vs. VDY.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (XUS.TO) and Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY.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, XUS.TO achieves a 11.06% return, which is significantly lower than VDY.TO's 23.81% return. Over the past 10 years, XUS.TO has outperformed VDY.TO with an annualized return of 17.59%, while VDY.TO has yielded a comparatively lower 14.58% annualized return.

XUS.TO

1D
0.70%
1M
2.06%
YTD
11.06%
6M
11.01%
1Y
29.23%
3Y*
23.38%
5Y*
17.34%
10Y*
17.59%

VDY.TO

1D
0.65%
1M
5.11%
YTD
23.81%
6M
23.43%
1Y
49.57%
3Y*
27.42%
5Y*
17.91%
10Y*
14.58%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XUS.TO vs. VDY.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
XUS.TO
iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF		11.06%12.19%35.81%24.87%-11.33%28.81%17.22%27.24%5.11%15.32%
VDY.TO
Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF		23.81%29.21%21.44%8.41%-0.23%36.60%-1.37%21.42%-10.09%8.32%

Correlation

The correlation between XUS.TO and VDY.TO is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.39

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

0.43

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

0.47

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.52

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 15, 2013

0.50

The correlation between XUS.TO and VDY.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.39 (1 year) to 0.52 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

XUS.TO vs. VDY.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
XUS.TO
VDY.TO

Technology

36.2%
0.4%

Financial Services

11.9%
56.0%

Communication Services

10.9%
2.8%

Consumer Cyclical

10.1%
3.0%

Healthcare

8.4%
0.1%

Industrials

8.1%
0.2%

Consumer Defensive

4.9%
0.4%

Energy

3.5%
30.8%

Utilities

2.3%
4.1%

Real Estate

1.9%

-

Basic Materials

1.8%
2.2%

Technology

XUS.TO
36.2%
VDY.TO
0.4%

Financial Services

XUS.TO
11.9%
VDY.TO
56.0%

Communication Services

XUS.TO
10.9%
VDY.TO
2.8%

Consumer Cyclical

XUS.TO
10.1%
VDY.TO
3.0%

Healthcare

XUS.TO
8.4%
VDY.TO
0.1%

Industrials

XUS.TO
8.1%
VDY.TO
0.2%

Consumer Defensive

XUS.TO
4.9%
VDY.TO
0.4%

Energy

XUS.TO
3.5%
VDY.TO
30.8%

Utilities

XUS.TO
2.3%
VDY.TO
4.1%

Real Estate

XUS.TO
1.9%
VDY.TO

-

Basic Materials

XUS.TO
1.8%
VDY.TO
2.2%

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 S&P 500 Index ETF

Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF

Often compared with XUS.TO:
XUS.TO vs. XSP.TOXUS.TO vs. XEQT.TOXUS.TO vs. XUU.TOXUS.TO vs. ZSP.TOXUS.TO vs. VOOXUS.TO vs. XEF.TOXUS.TO vs. HXS.TO
Often compared with VDY.TO:
VDY.TO vs. XEI.TOVDY.TO vs. XDIV.TOVDY.TO vs. VCN.TOVDY.TO vs. SCHDVDY.TO vs. XIC.TOVDY.TO vs. VCE.TOVDY.TO vs. ZDV.TO

Return for Risk

XUS.TO vs. VDY.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XUS.TO
XUS.TO Risk / Return Rank: 7979
Overall Rank
XUS.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8383
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XUS.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 8181
Sortino Ratio Rank
XUS.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 8383
Omega Ratio Rank
XUS.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 7373
Calmar Ratio Rank
XUS.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank
VDY.TO
VDY.TO Risk / Return Rank: 9898
Overall Rank
VDY.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9999
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VDY.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 9898
Sortino Ratio Rank
VDY.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 9898
Omega Ratio Rank
VDY.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 9898
Calmar Ratio Rank
VDY.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 9898
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.

XUS.TO vs. VDY.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (XUS.TO) and Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY.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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

XUS.TOVDY.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.32
5.98

-3.67

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.11
8.59

-5.48

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.43

2.21

-0.78

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.22

15.94

-12.73

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.06

64.95

-52.89

XUS.TO vs. VDY.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XUS.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.32, which is lower than the VDY.TO Sharpe Ratio of 5.98. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XUS.TO and VDY.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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Drawdowns

XUS.TO vs. VDY.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XUS.TO drawdown since its inception was -27.24%, smaller than the maximum VDY.TO drawdown of -39.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XUS.TO and VDY.TO.

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Drawdown Indicators

XUS.TOVDY.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-27.24%

-39.21%

+11.97%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.63%

-3.12%

-5.51%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.96%

-10.38%

-8.58%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-21.29%

-16.17%

-5.12%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-27.24%

-39.21%

+11.97%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.50%

0.00%

-1.50%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.24%

-4.47%

+1.23%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.30%

0.76%

+1.54%

Volatility

XUS.TO vs. VDY.TO - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF (XUS.TO) has a higher volatility of 4.54% compared to Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF (VDY.TO) at 3.27%. This indicates that XUS.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDY.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

XUS.TOVDY.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.54%

3.27%

+1.27%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.33%

6.96%

+2.37%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

11.98%

8.32%

+3.66%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

15.06%

11.58%

+3.48%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.54%

15.95%

+0.59%

XUS.TO vs. VDY.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

XUS.TO has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than VDY.TO's 0.22% 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

XUS.TO vs. VDY.TO - Dividend Comparison

XUS.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.13%, less than VDY.TO's 2.83% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VDY.TO
Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index ETF		2.83%3.59%4.37%4.64%4.42%3.46%4.59%4.25%4.44%3.42%3.25%4.11%
XUS.TO
iShares Core S&P 500 Index ETF		1.13%1.26%1.45%2.43%2.76%1.99%2.70%4.05%3.55%2.96%3.32%3.41%

Frequently Asked Questions

XUS.TO and VDY.TO have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

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

XUS.TO is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.22% for VDY.TO.

XUS.TO is categorized as S&P 500, while VDY.TO is Dividend. XUS.TO tracks S&P 500 Index, while VDY.TO tracks FTSE Canada High Dividend Yield Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for XUS.TO and 0.22% for VDY.TO.

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