A side-by-side comparison of iShares Global Agriculture Common Class (COW) and BMO Covered Call Utilities ETF (ZWU) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | COW | ZWU |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +7.07%✓ | +0.36% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.10% | +0.45%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -1.42% | -0.36%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -4.40% | +3.53%✓ |
| Current Price | $68.12 | $11.13 |
| AUM | $265M | $2.18B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | 0.61% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.42% | 7.75%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Annually | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2007-12-19 | 2011-10-20 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Other Sector Equity | Other Sector Equity |
| Beta | 0.37 | 0.14 |
| 52-Week High | $77.03 | $11.88 |
| 52-Week Low | $62.26 | $10.18 |
| 50-Day MA | $72.21 | $11.15 |
| 200-Day MA | $72.41 | $11.67 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | COW | ZWU |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +7.07%✓ | +0.36% |
| 1 Year | +6.33%✓ | +4.13% |
| 3 Year | +7.43% | +13.45%✓ |
| 5 Year | +4.71% | +5.05%✓ |
| 10 Year | +8.59%✓ | +5.47% |
| 1Y Volatility | 17.05% | 10.84% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.26 | 0.86 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | DE | Deere & Company | 10.17% |
| 2 | ADM | Archer-Daniels-Midland Company | 9.86% |
| 3 | CTVA | Corteva Inc | 9.57% |
| 4 | NTR | Nutrien Ltd | 7.15% |
| 5 | TSN | Tyson Foods Inc | 5.88% |
| 6 | AGCO | AGCO Corporation | 6.10% |
| 7 | BG | Bunge Global SA | 5.71% |
| 8 | ANDE | The Andersons Inc | 5.53% |
| 9 | INGR | Ingredion Incorporated | 4.65% |
| 10 | SQM | Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA ADR B | 4.83% |
| 1 | VZ | Verizon Communications Inc | 5.15% |
| 2 | FTS | Fortis Inc | 5.04% |
| 3 | ZUT | BMO Equal Weight Utilities Index ETF | 5.30% |
| 4 | T | AT&T Inc. | 4.94% |
| 5 | TRP | TC Energy Corp | 4.85% |
| 6 | PPL | Pembina Pipeline Corp | 4.88% |
| 7 | H | Hydro One Ltd | 4.85% |
| 8 | ENB | Enbridge Inc | 4.62% |
| 9 | WMB | Williams Companies Inc | 4.84% |
| 10 | KMI | Kinder Morgan Inc | 4.13% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | COW | ZWU |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 20.68% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 22.68% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.57% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 40.74% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 26.86% |
| Financial Services | 10.92% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 25.72% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 50.38% |
About COW
iShares Global Agriculture Common Class (COW.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About ZWU
BMO Covered Call Utilities ETF (ZWU.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both COW and ZWU are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, ZWU scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between COW and ZWU?
COW (iShares Global Agriculture Common Class) and ZWU (BMO Covered Call Utilities ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($265M vs $2.18B), dividend yield (1.42% vs 7.75%), and year-to-date performance (+7.07% vs +0.36%).
Is COW better than ZWU?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, COW has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy COW and ZWU on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both COW and ZWU should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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