A side-by-side comparison of Global X Equal Weight Canadian Insurance Index ETF (SAFE) and Invesco KBW Bank ETF (KBWB) 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 | SAFE | KBWB |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +21.57%✓ | -2.87% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.46% | +1.05%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -0.38% | +2.13%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +1.46% | +3.29%✓ |
| Current Price | $28.57 | $90.10 |
| AUM | $9M | $6.66B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | 0.36% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.85%✓ | 2.04% |
| Distribution Frequency | Annually | NA |
| Inception Date | 2024-11-06 | 2011-11-01 |
| Holdings Count | 4 | 25 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Financials Equity | Financials Equity |
| Beta | 0.00 | 1.19 |
| 52-Week High | $29.61 | $100.11 |
| 52-Week Low | $21.25 | $72.74 |
| 50-Day MA | $27.85 | $91.28 |
| 200-Day MA | $25.84 | $88.86 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | SAFE | KBWB |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +21.57%✓ | -2.87% |
| 1 Year | +33.28%✓ | +17.21% |
| 3 Year | +0.00% | +39.15%✓ |
| 5 Year | +0.00% | +7.55%✓ |
| 10 Year | +0.00% | +11.31%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 16.75% | 18.01% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.00 | 1.21 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | MFC | Manulife Financial Corp | 26.57% |
| 2 | GWO | Great-West Lifeco Inc. | 26.08% |
| 3 | SLF | Sun Life Financial Inc. | 24.68% |
| 4 | IFC | Intact Financial Corporation | 21.25% |
| 1 | WFC | Wells Fargo & Company | 8.60% |
| 2 | JPM | JPMorgan Chase & Co | 7.78% |
| 3 | GS | Goldman Sachs Group Inc | 7.48% |
| 4 | MS | Morgan Stanley | 7.22% |
| 5 | BAC | Bank of America Corp | 7.08% |
| 6 | FITB | Fifth Third Bancorp | 4.47% |
| 7 | TFC | Truist Financial Corp | 4.26% |
| 8 | USB | U.S. Bancorp | 4.06% |
| 9 | PNC | PNC Financial Services Group Inc | 3.99% |
| 10 | COF | Capital One Financial Corporation | 3.94% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | SAFE | KBWB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 100.00% | 99.84% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About SAFE
Global X Equal Weight Canadian Insurance Index ETF (SAFE.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About KBWB
The fund generally will invest at least 90% of its total assets in the securities that comprise the underlying index. The underlying index is a modified-market capitalization-weighted index of companies primarily engaged in U.S. banking activities, as determined by the index provider. The underlying index is designed to track the performance of large national U.S. money centers, regional banks, and thrift institutions that are publicly traded in the U.S. The fund is non-diversified.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both SAFE and KBWB 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, SAFE 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 SAFE and KBWB?
SAFE (Global X Equal Weight Canadian Insurance Index ETF) and KBWB (Invesco KBW Bank ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($9M vs $6.66B), dividend yield (2.85% vs 2.04%), and year-to-date performance (+21.57% vs -2.87%).
Is SAFE better than KBWB?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, SAFE has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy SAFE and KBWB on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both SAFE and KBWB should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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