CGL-C.TO vs. XST.TO

Last updated Jul 25, 2026

CGL-C.TO (iShares Gold Bullion ETF) and XST.TO (iShares S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CGL-C.TO is a Gold fund tracking the LBMA Gold Price (CAD), while XST.TO is a Consumer Staples Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Gbl GR CAD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, CGL-C.TO returned 11.94%/yr vs 18.64%/yr for XST.TO. At a correlation of -0.06, they often move in opposite directions. CGL-C.TO charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for XST.TO.

Performance

CGL-C.TO vs. XST.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in iShares Gold Bullion ETF (CGL-C.TO) and iShares S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index ETF (XST.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CGL-C.TO achieves a -3.54% return, which is significantly lower than XST.TO's 5.83% return. Over the past 10 years, CGL-C.TO has underperformed XST.TO with an annualized return of 11.94%, while XST.TO has yielded a comparatively higher 18.64% annualized return.

CGL-C.TO

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 0.74%
• 6M: -16.38%
• YTD: -3.54%
• 1Y: 23.59%
• 3Y*: 29.48%
• 5Y*: 19.65%
• 10Y*: 11.94%
• ALL TIME*: 8.16%

XST.TO

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: -2.90%
• 6M: 4.50%
• YTD: 5.83%
• 1Y: 10.33%
• 3Y*: 46.09%
• 5Y*: 30.02%
• 10Y*: 18.64%
• ALL TIME*: 20.68%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
CGL-C.TO iShares Gold Bullion ETF	CA$708.29K	CA$726.97K	CA$936.83K
XST.TO iShares S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index ETF	CA$965.61K	CA$1.09M	CA$1.21M

CGL-C.TO vs. XST.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
CGL-C.TO iShares Gold Bullion ETF	-3.54%	55.55%	37.41%	10.13%	6.11%	-4.85%	21.75%	11.98%	6.86%	4.31%
XST.TO iShares S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index ETF	5.83%	16.38%	140.92%	7.25%	9.63%	21.31%	4.28%	12.92%	2.53%	7.95%

Correlation

The correlation between CGL-C.TO and XST.TO is -0.03, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.03
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.03
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.04
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.04
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 24, 2012	-0.06

Return for Risk

CGL-C.TO vs. XST.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

CGL-C.TO

CGL-C.TO Risk / Return Rank: 33
CGL-C.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
CGL-C.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 33
CGL-C.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 39
CGL-C.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 31
CGL-C.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 27

XST.TO

XST.TO Risk / Return Rank: 27
XST.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
XST.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
XST.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 26
XST.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 30
XST.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 27

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

CGL-C.TO vs. XST.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Gold Bullion ETF (CGL-C.TO) and iShares S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index ETF (XST.TO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	CGL-C.TO	XST.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.88	0.61	+0.27
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.26	1.00	+0.26
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.18	1.12	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.01	0.99	+0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.27	2.27	+0.01

CGL-C.TO vs. XST.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CGL-C.TO Sharpe Ratio is 0.88, which is higher than the XST.TO Sharpe Ratio of 0.61. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CGL-C.TO and XST.TO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

CGL-C.TO vs. XST.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CGL-C.TO drawdown since its inception was -30.01%, which is greater than XST.TO's maximum drawdown of -25.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CGL-C.TO and XST.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	CGL-C.TO	XST.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-30.01%	-25.42%	-4.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.55%	-10.52%	-13.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.55%	-10.86%	-12.69%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.55%	-10.86%	-12.69%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-23.55%	-25.42%	+1.87%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-21.77%	-2.91%	-18.86%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.79%	-3.65%	-7.14%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.40%	4.57%	+5.83%

Volatility

CGL-C.TO vs. XST.TO - Volatility Comparison

iShares Gold Bullion ETF (CGL-C.TO) has a higher volatility of 6.62% compared to iShares S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index ETF (XST.TO) at 4.45%. This indicates that CGL-C.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XST.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CGL-C.TO	XST.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.62%	4.45%	+2.17%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	22.80%	13.73%	+9.07%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.96%	17.15%	+9.81%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.47%	47.25%	-29.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.64%	35.46%	-19.82%

CGL-C.TO vs. XST.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

CGL-C.TO has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is lower than XST.TO's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

CGL-C.TO vs. XST.TO - Dividend Comparison

CGL-C.TO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XST.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.67%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CGL-C.TO iShares Gold Bullion ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XST.TO iShares S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index ETF	0.67%	0.68%	0.87%	1.57%	1.48%	1.37%	1.48%	1.46%	1.62%	1.80%	1.03%	1.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CGL-C.TO and XST.TO in my portfolio?

CGL-C.TO and XST.TO have a correlation of -0.03, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, CGL-C.TO or XST.TO?

On fees, CGL-C.TO is cheaper at 0.55% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, CGL-C.TO or XST.TO?

CGL-C.TO is cheaper with a 0.55% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for XST.TO.

What is the main difference between CGL-C.TO and XST.TO?

CGL-C.TO is categorized as Gold, while XST.TO is Consumer Staples Equities. CGL-C.TO tracks LBMA Gold Price (CAD), while XST.TO tracks Morningstar Gbl GR CAD. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for CGL-C.TO and 0.61% for XST.TO.