A side-by-side comparison of T. Rowe Price Natural Resources ETF (TURF) and iShares S&P/TSX Capped Materials Index ETF (XMA) 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 | TURF | XMA |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +0.61% | +6.40%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -1.20%✓ | -3.75% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.05% | +11.05%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -3.72% | -4.08%✓ |
| Current Price | $32.88 | $44.41 |
| AUM | $333M | $702M✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.44% | — |
| Dividend Yield | 1.23%✓ | 0.47% |
| Distribution Frequency | — | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2025-06-11 | 2005-12-19 |
| Holdings Count | 79 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Natural Resources Equity | Natural Resources Equity |
| Beta | 0.00 | 1.53 |
| 52-Week High | $36.69 | $55.46 |
| 52-Week Low | $26.58 | $35.59 |
| 50-Day MA | $34.45 | $45.93 |
| 200-Day MA | $33.95 | $45.60 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | TURF | XMA |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +0.61% | +6.40%✓ |
| 1 Year | +24.07% | +26.70%✓ |
| 3 Year | — | +36.57% |
| 5 Year | — | +20.62% |
| 10 Year | — | +13.28% |
| 1Y Volatility | 21.21% | 45.99% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.00 | 0.96 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | SHEL | Shell plc | 4.64% |
| 2 | NTR | Nutrien Ltd | 4.06% |
| 3 | BHP | BHP Group Ltd | 4.00% |
| 4 | CVX | Chevron Corp | 3.61% |
| 5 | AEM | Agnico Eagle Mines Limited | 3.13% |
| 6 | ADM | Archer-Daniels-Midland Company | 3.17% |
| 7 | TSN | Tyson Foods Inc | 2.57% |
| 8 | CNQ | Canadian Natural Resources Ltd | 2.45% |
| 9 | SU | Suncor Energy Inc | 2.39% |
| 10 | COP | ConocoPhillips | 2.50% |
| 1 | AEM | Agnico Eagle Mines Limited | 13.63% |
| 2 | ABX | Barrick Gold Corp | 9.86% |
| 3 | WPM | Wheaton Precious Metals Corp | 9.59% |
| 4 | FNV | Franco-Nevada Corporation | 7.39% |
| 5 | NTR | Nutrien Ltd | 5.39% |
| 6 | TECK-B | Teck Resources Limited | 4.87% |
| 7 | K | Kinross Gold Corp | 4.30% |
| 8 | PAAS | Pan American Silver Corp | 2.85% |
| 9 | FM | First Quantum Minerals Ltd | 2.80% |
| 10 | LUN | Lundin Mining Corporation | 2.55% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | TURF | XMA |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 46.49% | 93.74% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.76% | 1.54% |
| Consumer Defensive | 15.84% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 39.53% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 1.23% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.06% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.07% | 0.00% |
About TURF
The fund invests in upstream natural resource companies, which are companies that engage in upstream activities, such as exploration, extraction, and development of resources. Specifically, the fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in the securities of natural resource companies. The fund is non-diversified.
About XMA
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Materials Index ETF (XMA.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 TURF and XMA 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, XMA 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 TURF and XMA?
TURF (T. Rowe Price Natural Resources ETF) and XMA (iShares S&P/TSX Capped Materials Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($333M vs $702M), dividend yield (1.23% vs 0.47%), and year-to-date performance (+0.61% vs +6.40%).
Is TURF better than XMA?
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 TURF and XMA on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both TURF and XMA should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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