XETM.TO vs. SETM

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

XETM.TO (iShares S&P/TSX Energy Transition Materials Index ETF) and SETM (Sprott Critical Materials ETF) are both Materials funds - XETM.TO tracks the S&P/TSX Energy Transition Materials Index while SETM tracks the Nasdaq Sprott Critical Materials Index. Both are passively managed. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. XETM.TO charges 0.59%/yr vs 0.65%/yr for SETM.

Performance

XETM.TO vs. SETM - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in iShares S&P/TSX Energy Transition Materials Index ETF (XETM.TO) and Sprott Critical Materials ETF (SETM). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

XETM.TO is traded in CAD, while SETM is traded in USD. To make them comparable, the SETM values have been converted to CAD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

XETM.TO

• 1D: -4.74%
• 1M: -2.13%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

SETM

• 1D: -4.19%
• 1M: -5.59%
• YTD: 14.92%
• 6M: 12.22%
• 1Y: 101.13%
• 3Y*: 28.27%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

XETM.TO vs. SETM - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
XETM.TO iShares S&P/TSX Energy Transition Materials Index ETF	-4.36%
SETM Sprott Critical Materials ETF	-6.34%

Correlation

The correlation between XETM.TO and SETM is 0.93, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 20, 2026	0.93

Return for Risk

XETM.TO vs. SETM — Risk / Return Rank

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

XETM.TO

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

SETM

SETM Risk / Return Rank: 61
SETM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SETM Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
SETM Omega Ratio Rank: 53
SETM Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
SETM Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

XETM.TO vs. SETM - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares S&P/TSX Energy Transition Materials Index ETF (XETM.TO) and Sprott Critical Materials ETF (SETM). 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.

	XETM.TO	SETM	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	—	2.19	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	—	2.52	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	—	1.33	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	—	4.06	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	—	11.88	—

Drawdowns

XETM.TO vs. SETM - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XETM.TO drawdown since its inception was -25.13%, smaller than the maximum SETM drawdown of -40.16%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XETM.TO and SETM.

Drawdown Indicators

	XETM.TO	SETM	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.13%	-40.16%	+15.03%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	—	-25.06%	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-40.16%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-14.50%	-15.62%	+1.12%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.20%	-13.77%	+4.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	—	8.54%	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	XETM.TO	SETM	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	—	17.21%	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	—	37.65%	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	50.11%	46.50%	+3.61%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.11%	37.23%	+12.88%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	50.11%	37.23%	+12.88%

XETM.TO vs. SETM - Expense Ratio Comparison

XETM.TO has a 0.59% expense ratio, which is lower than SETM's 0.65% expense ratio.

Dividends

XETM.TO vs. SETM - Dividend Comparison

XETM.TO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while SETM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.41%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
SETM Sprott Critical Materials ETF	1.41%	1.56%	2.07%	2.47%
XETM.TO iShares S&P/TSX Energy Transition Materials Index ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both XETM.TO and SETM in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.93, XETM.TO and SETM move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, XETM.TO or SETM?

On fees, XETM.TO is cheaper at 0.59% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, XETM.TO or SETM?

XETM.TO is cheaper with a 0.59% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for SETM.

What is the main difference between XETM.TO and SETM?

XETM.TO tracks S&P/TSX Energy Transition Materials Index, while SETM tracks Nasdaq Sprott Critical Materials Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Sprott. Their fees differ too: 0.59% for XETM.TO and 0.65% for SETM.