HLIT.TO vs. XBM.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

HLIT.TO (Global X Lithium Producers Index ETF) and XBM.TO (iShares S&P/TSX Global Base Metals Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HLIT.TO is a Commodity Producers Equities fund tracking the Solactive Global Lithium Producers Index, while XBM.TO is a Energy Equities fund tracking the Morningstar Can Natural Resource NR CAD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, HLIT.TO returned -8.89%/yr vs 29.93%/yr for XBM.TO. A 0.60 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HLIT.TO charges 0.89%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for XBM.TO.

Performance

HLIT.TO vs. XBM.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Global X Lithium Producers Index ETF (HLIT.TO) and iShares S&P/TSX Global Base Metals Index ETF (XBM.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HLIT.TO achieves a 25.27% return, which is significantly lower than XBM.TO's 38.48% return.

HLIT.TO

• 1D: -2.47%
• 1M: -5.96%
• YTD: 25.27%
• 6M: 34.39%
• 1Y: 134.51%
• 3Y*: -8.89%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XBM.TO

• 1D: -3.17%
• 1M: 21.23%
• YTD: 38.48%
• 6M: 46.72%
• 1Y: 119.30%
• 3Y*: 29.93%
• 5Y*: 19.70%
• 10Y*: 20.17%

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

HLIT.TO vs. XBM.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
HLIT.TO Global X Lithium Producers Index ETF	25.27%	42.90%	-43.73%	-17.02%	-5.87%	46.00%
XBM.TO iShares S&P/TSX Global Base Metals Index ETF	38.48%	50.69%	5.96%	2.84%	3.69%	12.68%

Correlation

The correlation between HLIT.TO and XBM.TO is 0.55, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.55
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 23, 2021	0.60

The correlation between HLIT.TO and XBM.TO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HLIT.TO vs. XBM.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

HLIT.TO

HLIT.TO Risk / Return Rank: 87
HLIT.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
HLIT.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 84
HLIT.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 79
HLIT.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
HLIT.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 89

XBM.TO

XBM.TO Risk / Return Rank: 85
XBM.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
XBM.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
XBM.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 80
XBM.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
XBM.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

HLIT.TO vs. XBM.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Lithium Producers Index ETF (HLIT.TO) and iShares S&P/TSX Global Base Metals Index ETF (XBM.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.

	HLIT.TO	XBM.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.55	3.37	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.79	3.67	+0.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.49	-0.02
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.70	5.02	+0.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	20.16	19.44	+0.72
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

HLIT.TO vs. XBM.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HLIT.TO Sharpe Ratio is 3.55, which is comparable to the XBM.TO Sharpe Ratio of 3.37. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HLIT.TO and XBM.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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	HLIT.TO	XBM.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.55	3.37	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.60	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.62	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.07	0.25	-0.18

Drawdowns

HLIT.TO vs. XBM.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HLIT.TO drawdown since its inception was -77.20%, which is greater than XBM.TO's maximum drawdown of -67.40%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HLIT.TO and XBM.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	HLIT.TO	XBM.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-77.20%	-67.40%	-9.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.73%	-23.88%	+0.15%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-74.44%	-37.45%	-36.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-40.57%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-57.24%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-38.85%	-3.17%	-35.68%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.70%	-25.80%	-11.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.70%	6.16%	+0.54%

Volatility

HLIT.TO vs. XBM.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X Lithium Producers Index ETF (HLIT.TO) is 8.90%, while iShares S&P/TSX Global Base Metals Index ETF (XBM.TO) has a volatility of 13.03%. This indicates that HLIT.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XBM.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HLIT.TO	XBM.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.90%	13.03%	-4.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	27.73%	29.68%	-1.95%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	38.13%	35.62%	+2.51%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	38.56%	33.06%	+5.50%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	38.56%	32.66%	+5.90%

HLIT.TO vs. XBM.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

HLIT.TO has a 0.89% expense ratio, which is higher than XBM.TO's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

HLIT.TO vs. XBM.TO - Dividend Comparison

HLIT.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.09%, less than XBM.TO's 0.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HLIT.TO Global X Lithium Producers Index ETF	0.09%	0.12%	2.24%	2.58%	1.88%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XBM.TO iShares S&P/TSX Global Base Metals Index ETF	0.62%	0.86%	1.25%	2.09%	4.83%	3.01%	1.81%	3.71%	3.43%	1.63%	2.42%	5.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HLIT.TO and XBM.TO in my portfolio?

HLIT.TO and XBM.TO have a correlation of 0.55, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, HLIT.TO or XBM.TO?

On fees, XBM.TO is cheaper at 0.60% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, HLIT.TO or XBM.TO?

XBM.TO is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for HLIT.TO.

What is the main difference between HLIT.TO and XBM.TO?

HLIT.TO is categorized as Commodity Producers Equities, while XBM.TO is Energy Equities. HLIT.TO tracks Solactive Global Lithium Producers Index, while XBM.TO tracks Morningstar Can Natural Resource NR CAD. They also come from different issuers: Global X and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.89% for HLIT.TO and 0.60% for XBM.TO.