A side-by-side comparison of iShares S&P/TSX Global Base Metals (XBM) and Sprott Critical Materials ETF (SETM) 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 | XBM | SETM |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +5.49%✓ | -25.23% |
| 1-Day Change | -1.15%✓ | -2.00% |
| 1-Week Change | +3.98% | +4.73%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -11.46% | -11.50%✓ |
| Current Price | $31.90 | $25.93 |
| AUM | $553M✓ | $445M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | 0.66% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.72% | 1.55%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Half-yearly | — |
| Inception Date | 2011-04-12 | 2023-02-01 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 151 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Natural Resources Equity | Natural Resources Equity |
| Beta | 1.02 | 1.60 |
| 52-Week High | $42.17 | $40.55 |
| 52-Week Low | $24.15 | $23.32 |
| 50-Day MA | $35.97 | $30.33 |
| 200-Day MA | $35.50 | $33.23 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XBM | SETM |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +5.49%✓ | -25.23% |
| 1 Year | +24.41%✓ | +2.45% |
| 3 Year | +25.53%✓ | +18.81% |
| 5 Year | +15.29% | — |
| 10 Year | +14.95% | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 35.24% | 46.89% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.77 | 0.58 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | TECK-B | Teck Resources Limited | 10.43% |
| 2 | BHP | BHP Group Limited | 9.79% |
| 3 | FCX | Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold Inc | 10.60% |
| 4 | RIO | Rio Tinto ADR | 10.18% |
| 5 | SCCO | Southern Copper Corporation | 7.06% |
| 6 | FM | First Quantum Minerals Ltd | 6.66% |
| 7 | LUN | Lundin Mining Corporation | 6.32% |
| 8 | HBM | HudBay Minerals Inc | 4.40% |
| 9 | AA | Alcoa Corp | 4.23% |
| 10 | MP | MP Materials Corp | 2.59% |
| 1 | FCX | Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold Inc | 5.68% |
| 2 | CCO | Cameco Corp | 5.45% |
| 3 | LYC | Lynas Rare Earths Ltd | 4.40% |
| 4 | KAP | National Atomic Co Kazatomprom JSC ADR | 4.32% |
| 5 | TECK-B | Teck Resources Limited | 3.68% |
| 6 | ALB | Albemarle Corp | 3.64% |
| 7 | SQM | Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA ADR B | 3.53% |
| 8 | PLS | Pilbara Minerals Ltd | 3.21% |
| 9 | FR | First Majestic Silver Corp | 3.27% |
| 10 | UEC | Uranium Energy Corp | 3.21% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XBM | SETM |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 100.49% | 71.50% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.07% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 23.55% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.08% | 0.74% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About XBM
iShares S&P/TSX Global Base Metals (XBM.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About SETM
The fund invests at least 80% of its total assets in securities of the index. The index is designed to track the performance of companies that derive at least 50% of their revenue and/or assets from (i) mining, exploration, development, production, recycling, refining, or smelting of energy transition materials; (ii) investments in energy transition materials that represent all or a significant portion of their assets. The fund is non-diversified.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both XBM and SETM 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, XBM 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 XBM and SETM?
XBM (iShares S&P/TSX Global Base Metals) and SETM (Sprott Critical Materials ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($553M vs $445M), dividend yield (0.72% vs 1.55%), and year-to-date performance (+5.49% vs -25.23%).
Is XBM better than SETM?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, XBM has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy XBM and SETM on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XBM and SETM should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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