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XQB.TO vs. PSA.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

Performance

XQB.TO vs. PSA.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF (XQB.TO) and Purpose High Interest Savings Fund (PSA.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XQB.TO achieves a 1.49% return, which is significantly higher than PSA.TO's 0.89% return. Over the past 10 years, XQB.TO has underperformed PSA.TO with an annualized return of 1.64%, while PSA.TO has yielded a comparatively higher 2.25% annualized return.


XQB.TO

1D
-0.11%
1M
1.68%
YTD
1.49%
6M
0.82%
1Y
3.20%
3Y*
4.37%
5Y*
0.97%
10Y*
1.64%

PSA.TO

1D
0.00%
1M
0.17%
YTD
0.89%
6M
1.08%
1Y
2.35%
3Y*
3.73%
5Y*
3.17%
10Y*
2.25%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XQB.TO vs. PSA.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
XQB.TO
iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF
1.49%3.16%4.17%6.51%-10.61%-2.84%8.32%6.05%1.38%1.61%
PSA.TO
Purpose High Interest Savings Fund
0.89%2.64%4.56%5.12%2.34%0.60%0.93%2.22%1.65%1.09%

Correlation

The correlation between XQB.TO and PSA.TO is 0.05, 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

0.05

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.12

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.05

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.03

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 16, 2013

0.02

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Return for Risk

XQB.TO vs. PSA.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

XQB.TO
XQB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 2323
Overall Rank
XQB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2323
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XQB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 2121
Sortino Ratio Rank
XQB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 2121
Omega Ratio Rank
XQB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 2525
Calmar Ratio Rank
XQB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 2323
Martin Ratio Rank

PSA.TO
PSA.TO Risk / Return Rank: 100100
Overall Rank
PSA.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9999
Sharpe Ratio Rank
PSA.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 100100
Sortino Ratio Rank
PSA.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 100100
Omega Ratio Rank
PSA.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 100100
Calmar Ratio Rank
PSA.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 100100
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

XQB.TO vs. PSA.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF (XQB.TO) and Purpose High Interest Savings Fund (PSA.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.


XQB.TOPSA.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

-9.55

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

-27.09

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.14

6.27

-5.14

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.19

117.76

-116.57

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

2.93

422.79

-419.86

XQB.TO vs. PSA.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XQB.TO Sharpe Ratio is 0.79, which is lower than the PSA.TO Sharpe Ratio of 10.34. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XQB.TO and PSA.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.


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Sharpe Ratios by Period


XQB.TOPSA.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.79

10.34

-9.55

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.17

11.66

-11.50

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.29

9.68

-9.40

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.53

9.26

-8.73

Drawdowns

XQB.TO vs. PSA.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XQB.TO drawdown since its inception was -16.57%, which is greater than PSA.TO's maximum drawdown of -0.04%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XQB.TO and PSA.TO.


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Drawdown Indicators


XQB.TOPSA.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-16.57%

-0.04%

-16.53%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.70%

-0.02%

-2.68%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-4.25%

-0.02%

-4.23%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-14.59%

-0.04%

-14.55%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-16.57%

-0.04%

-16.53%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.50%

0.00%

-0.50%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.07%

-0.00%

-3.07%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.09%

0.01%

+1.08%

Volatility

XQB.TO vs. PSA.TO - Volatility Comparison

iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF (XQB.TO) has a higher volatility of 1.54% compared to Purpose High Interest Savings Fund (PSA.TO) at 0.06%. This indicates that XQB.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than PSA.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


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Volatility by Period


XQB.TOPSA.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.54%

0.06%

+1.48%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

3.31%

0.16%

+3.15%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

4.10%

0.23%

+3.87%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

5.89%

0.27%

+5.62%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

5.78%

0.24%

+5.54%

XQB.TO vs. PSA.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

XQB.TO has a 0.13% expense ratio, which is lower than PSA.TO's 0.17% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.


Dividends

XQB.TO vs. PSA.TO - Dividend Comparison

XQB.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.41%, more than PSA.TO's 2.33% yield.


PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
PSA.TO
Purpose High Interest Savings Fund
2.33%2.61%4.47%5.05%2.26%0.59%0.94%2.18%1.66%1.07%0.99%1.07%
XQB.TO
iShares High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF
3.41%3.39%3.24%2.93%2.75%2.37%2.37%2.53%2.59%2.54%2.67%2.80%

Frequently Asked Questions


XQB.TO and PSA.TO have a correlation of 0.05, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, XQB.TO is cheaper at 0.13% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

XQB.TO is cheaper with a 0.13% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for PSA.TO.

XQB.TO is categorized as Canadian Government Bonds, while PSA.TO is Money Market. They also come from different issuers: iShares and Purpose Investments. Their fees differ too: 0.13% for XQB.TO and 0.17% for PSA.TO.

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