A side-by-side comparison of iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF (XGD) and Hamilton Gold Producer YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF (AMAX) 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 | XGD | AMAX |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -0.55%✓ | -14.89% |
| 1-Day Change | -3.18% | -3.15%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -0.99% | -0.72%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -9.38% | -9.87%✓ |
| Current Price | $50.92 | $30.41 |
| AUM | $4.27B✓ | $560M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | — |
| Dividend Yield | 0.72% | 9.84%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Half-yearly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2001-03-23 | 2024-02-06 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Gold & Precious Metals Mining Equity | Gold & Precious Metals Mining Equity |
| Beta | 1.04 | 0.00 |
| 52-Week High | $69.54 | $43.04 |
| 52-Week Low | $41.28 | $27.26 |
| 50-Day MA | $57.73 | $34.88 |
| 200-Day MA | $55.90 | $35.76 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XGD | AMAX |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -0.55%✓ | -14.89% |
| 1 Year | +26.24%✓ | +23.58% |
| 3 Year | +46.04%✓ | +0.00% |
| 5 Year | +26.53%✓ | +0.00% |
| 10 Year | +15.79%✓ | +0.00% |
| 1Y Volatility | 54.65% | 50.43% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.26 | 0.00 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | NEM | Newmont Goldcorp Corp | 16.27% |
| 2 | AEM | Agnico Eagle Mines Limited | 12.25% |
| 3 | ABX | Barrick Gold Corp | 9.17% |
| 4 | WPM | Wheaton Precious Metals Corp | 8.00% |
| 5 | FNV | Franco-Nevada Corporation | 6.12% |
| 6 | AU | AngloGold Ashanti plc | 5.40% |
| 7 | GFI | Gold Fields Ltd ADR | 4.62% |
| 8 | K | Kinross Gold Corp | 3.72% |
| 9 | RGLD | Royal Gold Inc | 2.62% |
| 10 | PAAS | Pan American Silver Corp | 2.70% |
| 1 | NEM | Newmont Goldcorp Corp | 7.10% |
| 2 | RGLD | Royal Gold Inc | 6.86% |
| 3 | WPM | Wheaton Precious Metals Corp | 7.24% |
| 4 | EDV | Endeavour Mining Corp | 6.74% |
| 5 | AEM | Agnico Eagle Mines Limited | 6.74% |
| 6 | FNV | Franco-Nevada Corporation | 6.94% |
| 7 | HL | Hecla Mining Company | 6.56% |
| 8 | CDE | Coeur Mining Inc | 6.60% |
| 9 | ABX | Barrick Gold Corp | 6.88% |
| 10 | AGI | Alamos Gold Inc | 6.85% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XGD | AMAX |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 100.00% | 100.00% |
| 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 XGD
iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF (XGD.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About AMAX
Hamilton Gold Producer YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF (AMAX.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 XGD and AMAX 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, XGD 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 XGD and AMAX?
XGD (iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index ETF) and AMAX (Hamilton Gold Producer YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($4.27B vs $560M), dividend yield (0.72% vs 9.84%), and year-to-date performance (-0.55% vs -14.89%).
Is XGD better than AMAX?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, XGD has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy XGD and AMAX on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XGD and AMAX should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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