A side-by-side comparison of NBI Global Real Assets Income ETF (NREA) and iShares Gold Bullion ETF (CAD-Hedged) (CGL) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
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1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | NREA | CGL |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +13.73%✓ | -1.14% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.25% | +0.21%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +2.34%✓ | +1.57% |
| 1-Month Change | +2.86%✓ | -5.06% |
| Current Price | $28.41 | $33.02 |
| AUM | $1.47B | $2.04B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.84% | — |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | None |
| Inception Date | 2019-01-15 | 2009-05-28 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | — |
| Category | Global Infrastructure Equity | Commodity |
| Beta | 0.00 | 0.05 |
| 52-Week High | $28.64 | $42.58 |
| 52-Week Low | $24.49 | $25.35 |
| 50-Day MA | $27.99 | $35.05 |
| 200-Day MA | $26.81 | $34.10 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | NREA | CGL |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +13.73%✓ | -1.14% |
| 1 Year | +12.68% | +21.51%✓ |
| 3 Year | +13.26% | +26.71%✓ |
| 5 Year | +10.11% | +15.73%✓ |
| 10 Year | — | +11.09% |
| 1Y Volatility | 7.76% | 23.49% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.22 | 1.43 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | ETR | Entergy Corporation | 7.31% |
| 2 | NEE | Nextera Energy Inc | 6.21% |
| 3 | AEP | American Electric Power Co Inc | 5.92% |
| 4 | XEL | Xcel Energy Inc | 5.10% |
| 5 | IBE | Iberdrola S.A. | 4.20% |
| 6 | ENB | Enbridge Inc | 3.67% |
| 7 | WMB | Williams Companies Inc | 3.63% |
| 8 | TCL | Transurban Group | 3.56% |
| 9 | AENA | Aena SA | 3.16% |
| 10 | TRGP | Targa Resources Inc | 3.06% |
| 1 | 100.00% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | NREA | CGL |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 17.19% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 29.07% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 2.19% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.12% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 51.44% | 0.00% |
About NREA
NA
About CGL
iShares Gold Bullion ETF (CAD-Hedged) (CGL.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both NREA and CGL are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
NREA and CGL are closely matched on the metrics we track. The right choice depends on your individual investment goals, tax situation, and time horizon.
- 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 NREA and CGL?
NREA (NBI Global Real Assets Income ETF) and CGL (iShares Gold Bullion ETF (CAD-Hedged)) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($1.47B vs $2.04B), dividend yield (1.84% vs N/A), and year-to-date performance (+13.73% vs -1.14%).
Is NREA better than CGL?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, NREA has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy NREA and CGL on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both NREA and CGL should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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