QMAX.TO vs. XCHP.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

QMAX.TO (Hamilton Technology YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF) and XCHP.TO (iShares Semiconductor Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - QMAX.TO is a Technology Equities fund actively managed by Hamilton Capital, while XCHP.TO is a Semiconductors fund tracking the NYSE Semiconductor Index. QMAX.TO is actively managed, while XCHP.TO is passively managed. Over the past year, QMAX.TO returned 44.35% vs 192.43% for XCHP.TO. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. QMAX.TO charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.39%/yr for XCHP.TO.

Performance

QMAX.TO vs. XCHP.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Hamilton Technology YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF (QMAX.TO) and iShares Semiconductor Index ETF (XCHP.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QMAX.TO achieves a 22.06% return, which is significantly lower than XCHP.TO's 106.85% return.

QMAX.TO

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: 17.44%
• YTD: 22.06%
• 6M: 19.75%
• 1Y: 44.35%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XCHP.TO

• 1D: 2.19%
• 1M: 35.96%
• YTD: 106.85%
• 6M: 98.47%
• 1Y: 192.43%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

QMAX.TO vs. XCHP.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
QMAX.TO Hamilton Technology YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF	22.06%	16.57%	37.65%	16.15%
XCHP.TO iShares Semiconductor Index ETF	106.85%	33.58%	21.73%	26.56%

Correlation

The correlation between QMAX.TO and XCHP.TO is 0.70, 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	0.70
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2023	0.72

The correlation between QMAX.TO and XCHP.TO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.70 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

QMAX.TO vs. XCHP.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

QMAX.TO

QMAX.TO Risk / Return Rank: 52
QMAX.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
QMAX.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
QMAX.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 62
QMAX.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 39
QMAX.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 34

XCHP.TO

XCHP.TO Risk / Return Rank: 97
XCHP.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
XCHP.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 96
XCHP.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 95
XCHP.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
XCHP.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

QMAX.TO vs. XCHP.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Hamilton Technology YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF (QMAX.TO) and iShares Semiconductor Index ETF (XCHP.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.

	QMAX.TO	XCHP.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	5.86	-3.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.86	5.48	-2.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.75	-0.37
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.95	13.99	-12.04
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.32	49.96	-44.64
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QMAX.TO vs. XCHP.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QMAX.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is lower than the XCHP.TO Sharpe Ratio of 5.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QMAX.TO and XCHP.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

	QMAX.TO	XCHP.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.17	5.86	-3.68
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.58	1.91	-0.33

Drawdowns

QMAX.TO vs. XCHP.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QMAX.TO drawdown since its inception was -26.77%, smaller than the maximum XCHP.TO drawdown of -38.95%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QMAX.TO and XCHP.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	QMAX.TO	XCHP.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.77%	-38.95%	+12.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-22.86%	-14.22%	-8.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.25%	-8.67%	+3.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	8.36%	3.95%	+4.41%

Volatility

QMAX.TO vs. XCHP.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Hamilton Technology YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF (QMAX.TO) is 6.48%, while iShares Semiconductor Index ETF (XCHP.TO) has a volatility of 13.24%. This indicates that QMAX.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XCHP.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QMAX.TO	XCHP.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.48%	13.24%	-6.76%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.34%	26.74%	-10.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.53%	34.06%	-13.53%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.66%	38.53%	-14.87%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.66%	38.53%	-14.87%

QMAX.TO vs. XCHP.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

QMAX.TO has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than XCHP.TO's 0.39% expense ratio.

Dividends

QMAX.TO vs. XCHP.TO - Dividend Comparison

QMAX.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 9.33%, more than XCHP.TO's 0.21% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
QMAX.TO Hamilton Technology YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF	9.33%	10.79%	10.90%	2.01%
XCHP.TO iShares Semiconductor Index ETF	0.21%	0.43%	0.29%	0.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QMAX.TO and XCHP.TO in my portfolio?

QMAX.TO and XCHP.TO have a correlation of 0.70, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, QMAX.TO or XCHP.TO?

On fees, XCHP.TO is cheaper at 0.39% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, QMAX.TO or XCHP.TO?

XCHP.TO is cheaper with a 0.39% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for QMAX.TO.

What is the main difference between QMAX.TO and XCHP.TO?

QMAX.TO is categorized as Technology Equities, while XCHP.TO is Semiconductors. They also come from different issuers: Hamilton Capital and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for QMAX.TO and 0.39% for XCHP.TO.