XEI at a Glance
| Feature |
Details |
| Full name |
iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index ETF |
| Ticker |
XEI |
| Provider |
BlackRock (iShares) |
| Inception |
April 2011 |
| MER |
0.22% |
| Distribution yield |
~4.8% |
| Distribution frequency |
Monthly |
| Number of holdings |
~75 |
| Exchange |
TSX |
Top Holdings
| Company |
Sector |
Weight (approx) |
| Enbridge |
Pipeline |
~6% |
| Royal Bank |
Financials |
~5% |
| Toronto-Dominion Bank |
Financials |
~5% |
| Canadian Natural Resources |
Energy |
~5% |
| Bank of Nova Scotia |
Financials |
~4% |
| TC Energy |
Pipeline |
~4% |
| BCE |
Telecom |
~3% |
| Pembina Pipeline |
Pipeline |
~3% |
| Manulife |
Financials |
~3% |
| CIBC |
Financials |
~3% |
Sector Breakdown
| Sector |
XEI |
VDY |
| Financials |
~35% |
~55% |
| Energy |
~25% |
~25% |
| Utilities |
~10% |
~7% |
| Telecom |
~8% |
~8% |
| Real estate |
~5% |
~2% |
| Other |
~17% |
~3% |
XEI is more diversified across sectors than VDY, which is bank-heavy.
Dividend Income
| Investment |
Annual Income (~4.8%) |
Monthly Income |
| $50,000 |
$2,400 |
$200 |
| $100,000 |
$4,800 |
$400 |
| $200,000 |
$9,600 |
$800 |
| $500,000 |
$24,000 |
$2,000 |
XEI vs VDY vs ZDV
| Feature |
XEI |
VDY |
ZDV |
| MER |
0.22% |
0.22% |
0.39% |
| Yield |
~4.8% |
~4.5% |
~4.5% |
| Holdings |
~75 |
~40 |
~50 |
| Bank weight |
~35% |
~45% |
~35% |
| Frequency |
Monthly |
Monthly |
Monthly |
| Diversification |
Most diversified |
Concentrated |
Middle |
Who Should Buy XEI
| Profile |
Suitable? |
| Want monthly dividend income |
✅ Ideal |
| Prefer sector diversification over VDY |
✅ Yes |
| Retiree income portfolio |
✅ Great fit |
| Want pure bank exposure |
⚠️ VDY has more banks |
| Growth investor |
⚠️ XEQT/VEQT may be better |