A side-by-side comparison of Picton Mahoney Fortified Long Short Alternative Fund Class ETF (PFLS) and Evolve Canadian Banks and Lifecos Enhanced Yield Index Fund (BANK) 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 | PFLS | BANK |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +7.36% | +22.04%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.22%✓ | -0.63% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.88% | -0.59%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -0.75% | +2.24%✓ |
| Current Price | $22.62 | $11.85 |
| AUM | $141M | $1.30B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0%✓ | 60% |
| Dividend Yield | — | 12.14% |
| Distribution Frequency | Annually | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2020-07-15 | 2022-02-01 |
| Holdings Count | 7 | 9 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Alternative Equity Focused | Alternative Equity Focused |
| Beta | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 52-Week High | $23.59 | $11.99 |
| 52-Week Low | $19.46 | $6.99 |
| 50-Day MA | $22.65 | $11.47 |
| 200-Day MA | $21.57 | $10.09 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | PFLS | BANK |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +7.36% | +22.04%✓ |
| 1 Year | +15.31% | +68.87%✓ |
| 3 Year | +13.79% | +35.27%✓ |
| 5 Year | +10.10% | — |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 6.59% | 14.18% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.58 | 1.77 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 21.20% |
| 2 | XIC | iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite | 20.12% |
| 3 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 6.51% |
| 4 | TD | Toronto Dominion Bank | 4.95% |
| 5 | SHOP | Shopify Inc | 4.72% |
| 6 | MTUM | iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF | 3.84% |
| 7 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 2.92% |
| 1 | GWO | Great-West Lifeco Inc. | 13.43% |
| 2 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 12.83% |
| 3 | BMO | Bank of Montreal | 12.83% |
| 4 | TD | Toronto Dominion Bank | 12.60% |
| 5 | BNS | Bank of Nova Scotia | 12.47% |
| 6 | POW | Power Corporation Of Canada | 12.37% |
| 7 | SLF | Sun Life Financial Inc. | 12.07% |
| 8 | NA | National Bank of Canada | 11.71% |
| 9 | CM | Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce | 11.60% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | PFLS | BANK |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 11.93% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 4.48% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.97% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 3.19% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 8.99% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 23.25% | 100.00% |
| Healthcare | 5.19% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 11.60% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 3.14% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 16.65% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 3.62% | 0.00% |
About PFLS
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About BANK
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both PFLS and BANK 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, BANK 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 PFLS and BANK?
PFLS (Picton Mahoney Fortified Long Short Alternative Fund Class ETF) and BANK (Evolve Canadian Banks and Lifecos Enhanced Yield Index Fund) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($141M vs $1.30B), dividend yield (N/A vs 12.14%), and year-to-date performance (+7.36% vs +22.04%).
Is PFLS better than BANK?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy PFLS and BANK on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both PFLS and BANK should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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