A side-by-side comparison of Purpose High Interest Savings Fund (PSA) and iShares Premium Money Market Common Class (CMR) 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 | PSA | CMR |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | 0.00% | +0.04%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.02%✓ | -0.02% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.13% | +0.04%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | 0.00% | +0.02%✓ |
| Current Price | $50.02 | $50.04 |
| AUM | $3.11B✓ | $2.66B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.37% | 2.54%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2013-10-15 | 2008-02-19 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 9 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Canadian Money Market | Canadian Money Market |
| Beta | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 52-Week High | $50.02 | $50.05 |
| 52-Week Low | $48.87 | $48.87 |
| 50-Day MA | $50.05 | $50.05 |
| 200-Day MA | $50.05 | $50.08 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | PSA | CMR |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +0.00% | +0.04%✓ |
| 1 Year | +2.33% | +2.36%✓ |
| 3 Year | +3.73% | +3.73% |
| 5 Year | +3.16%✓ | +2.94% |
| 10 Year | +2.25%✓ | +1.89% |
| 1Y Volatility | 0.08% | 0.18% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | -0.02 | 0.01 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | 0.68% |
| 1 | Federation des caisses Desjardins 0% | 4.82% | |
| 2 | Mizuho Bank Ltd., Canada Branch 0% | 4.63% | |
| 3 | BNP Paribas Canada Branch 0% | 4.62% | |
| 4 | Ontario (Province Of) 0% | 3.85% | |
| 5 | Province of Nova Scotia 0% | 3.76% | |
| 6 | Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation of Canada 0% | 3.57% | |
| 7 | Manulife Bank of Canada 0% | 3.37% | |
| 8 | MUFG Bank Ltd Canada Branch 0% | 3.08% | |
| 9 | Province of Alberta 0% | 2.41% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | PSA | CMR |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| 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 PSA
The purpose of this fund: Generate best-in-class yields and access your cash anytime.
About CMR
iShares Premium Money Market Common Class (CMR.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 PSA and CMR 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, CMR 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 PSA and CMR?
PSA (Purpose High Interest Savings Fund) and CMR (iShares Premium Money Market Common Class) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($3.11B vs $2.66B), dividend yield (2.37% vs 2.54%), and year-to-date performance (0.00% vs +0.04%).
Is PSA better than CMR?
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 PSA and CMR on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both PSA and CMR should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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