A side-by-side comparison of Picton Mahoney Fortified Alpha Alternative Fund ETF (PFAA) and NBI Liquid Alternatives ETF (NALT) 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 | PFAA | NALT |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -0.08% | +6.26%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.08% | +0.25%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +0.49%✓ | +0.13% |
| 1-Month Change | +1.41%✓ | -1.09% |
| Current Price | $12.26 | $23.60 |
| AUM | $348M | $364M✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.77% | 3.13%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Annually |
| Inception Date | 2022-05-09 | 2019-01-15 |
| Holdings Count | 6 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Alternative Multi - Strategy | Alternative Multi - Strategy |
| Beta | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 52-Week High | $12.27 | $24.29 |
| 52-Week Low | $11.73 | $19.53 |
| 50-Day MA | $12.16 | $23.69 |
| 200-Day MA | $12.23 | $22.38 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | PFAA | NALT |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -0.08% | +6.26%✓ |
| 1 Year | +4.03% | +13.40%✓ |
| 3 Year | +7.80%✓ | +3.35% |
| 5 Year | — | +2.47% |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 1.93% | 7.84% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 2.03 | -0.04 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | XIC | iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite | 9.33% |
| 2 | IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 9.27% |
| 3 | XIU | iShares S&P/TSX 60 | 5.68% |
| 4 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 2.37% |
| 5 | MTUM | iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF | 1.72% |
| 6 | SHOP | Shopify Inc | 1.57% |
| 1 | WINM26 | Mini Ibovespa Future June 26 | 3.44% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | PFAA | NALT |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 10.20% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 4.69% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.65% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 2.92% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 7.59% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 28.09% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 5.63% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 10.74% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 4.09% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 14.42% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 3.97% | 0.00% |
About PFAA
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About NALT
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both PFAA and NALT 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, NALT 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 PFAA and NALT?
PFAA (Picton Mahoney Fortified Alpha Alternative Fund ETF) and NALT (NBI Liquid Alternatives ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($348M vs $364M), dividend yield (1.77% vs 3.13%), and year-to-date performance (-0.08% vs +6.26%).
Is PFAA better than NALT?
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 PFAA and NALT on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both PFAA and NALT should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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