A side-by-side comparison of iShares Cybersecurity and Tech Index ETF USD (XHAK) and Hamilton Technology Yield Maximizer ETF (QMAX) 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 | XHAK | QMAX |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +18.49%✓ | +9.07% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.27%✓ | -2.04% |
| 1-Week Change | -6.65%✓ | -7.54% |
| 1-Month Change | +8.66%✓ | -2.23% |
| Current Price | $56.32 | $24.54 |
| AUM | $26M | $913M✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | — |
| Dividend Yield | 0.03% | 9.47%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Half-yearly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2022-04-26 | 2023-10-25 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Sector Equity | Sector Equity |
| Beta | 0.97 | 0.00 |
| 52-Week High | $62.09 | $26.66 |
| 52-Week Low | $40.87 | $17.68 |
| 50-Day MA | $50.24 | $23.11 |
| 200-Day MA | $51.21 | $22.44 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XHAK | QMAX |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +18.49%✓ | +9.07% |
| 1 Year | +12.53% | +36.67%✓ |
| 3 Year | +17.18% | — |
| 5 Year | — | — |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 28.50% | 29.58% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.68 | — |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | 2345 | Accton Technology Corp | 8.55% |
| 2 | AKAM | Akamai Technologies Inc | 6.35% |
| 3 | BB | BlackBerry Ltd | 6.15% |
| 4 | YOU | Clear Secure Inc | 5.71% |
| 5 | FTNT | Fortinet Inc | 5.62% |
| 6 | OKTA | Okta Inc | 5.08% |
| 7 | CRWD | Crowdstrike Holdings Inc | 5.06% |
| 8 | PANW | Palo Alto Networks Inc | 5.02% |
| 9 | S | SentinelOne Inc | 4.04% |
| 10 | VRNS | Varonis Systems | 4.00% |
| 1 | INTC | Intel Corporation | 10.46% |
| 2 | AMD | Advanced Micro Devices Inc | 8.51% |
| 3 | MU | Micron Technology Inc | 7.75% |
| 4 | GOOGL | Alphabet Inc Class A | 7.34% |
| 5 | AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 7.21% |
| 6 | AMZN | Amazon.com Inc | 7.02% |
| 7 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 6.53% |
| 8 | LRCX | Lam Research Corp | 6.32% |
| 9 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 6.24% |
| 10 | AMAT | Applied Materials Inc | 6.24% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XHAK | QMAX |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 18.01% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 11.80% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 3.09% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 96.91% | 70.19% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About XHAK
NA
About QMAX
Hamilton Technology Yield Maximizer ETF (QMAX.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 XHAK and QMAX 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, QMAX 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 XHAK and QMAX?
XHAK (iShares Cybersecurity and Tech Index ETF USD) and QMAX (Hamilton Technology Yield Maximizer ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($26M vs $913M), dividend yield (0.03% vs 9.47%), and year-to-date performance (+18.49% vs +9.07%).
Is XHAK better than QMAX?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, XHAK has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy XHAK and QMAX on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XHAK and QMAX should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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