A side-by-side comparison of iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF (IALT) and NBI Liquid Alternatives ETF (NALT) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | IALT | NALT |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +6.51%✓ | +6.30% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.47% | +0.04%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +0.94% | +1.20%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +0.30% | +0.47%✓ |
| Current Price | $29.95 | $23.61 |
| AUM | $7.86B✓ | $379M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | — |
| Dividend Yield | — | 6.20% |
| Distribution Frequency | — | Annually |
| Inception Date | 2025-12-09 | 2019-01-15 |
| Holdings Count | 1769 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Multi-Strategy Alternatives | Multi-Strategy Alternatives |
| Beta | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 52-Week High | $30.32 | $23.76 |
| 52-Week Low | $24.87 | $19.85 |
| 50-Day MA | $29.56 | $23.46 |
| 200-Day MA | $28.08 | $23.29 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | IALT | NALT |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +6.51%✓ | +6.30% |
| 1 Year | — | +18.35% |
| 3 Year | — | +4.02% |
| 5 Year | — | +3.54% |
| 10 Year | — | +0.00% |
| 1Y Volatility | 0.00% | 6.51% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.00 | 0.04 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | TD | Toronto Dominion Bank | 0.99% |
| 2 | GS | Goldman Sachs Group Inc | 0.94% |
| 3 | CNQ | Canadian Natural Resources Ltd | 0.91% |
| 4 | BAC | Bank of America Corp | 0.87% |
| 5 | ADBE | Adobe Inc. | 0.80% |
| 6 | ENEL | Enel SpA | 0.74% |
| 7 | SU | Suncor Energy Inc | 0.74% |
| 8 | CS | AXA SA | 0.72% |
| 9 | COST | Costco Wholesale Corp | 0.74% |
| 10 | NEM | Newmont Goldcorp Corp | 0.67% |
| 1 | WINQ26 | Mini Ibovespa Future Aug 26 | 3.70% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | IALT | NALT |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 4.85% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 3.71% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.19% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 5.98% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 7.71% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 19.17% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 9.44% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 18.12% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 2.82% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 14.88% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 4.01% | 0.00% |
About IALT
The fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a range of global asset classes and a diversified set of alternative (or non-traditional) strategies that seek to provide total return in both periods of strong returns and periods of market stress.
About NALT
NA
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both IALT and NALT are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, IALT scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between IALT and NALT?
IALT (iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF) and NALT (NBI Liquid Alternatives ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($7.86B vs $379M), dividend yield (N/A vs 6.20%), and year-to-date performance (+6.51% vs +6.30%).
Is IALT better than NALT?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, IALT has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy IALT and NALT on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both IALT and NALT should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
7 stocks to buy and hold forever
Complement your ETF portfolio with these proven long-term individual stocks.
Get the FREE Report