A side-by-side comparison of First Trust AlphaDEX US Technology (FHQ) and BMO Covered Call Utilities ETF (ZWU) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
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1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | FHQ | ZWU |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +33.01%✓ | +7.30% |
| 1-Day Change | +6.05%✓ | +0.76% |
| 1-Week Change | +8.87%✓ | -2.22% |
| 1-Month Change | +23.37%✓ | -0.58% |
| Current Price | $146.42 | $11.90 |
| AUM | $28M | $2.17B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0%✓ | 0.65% |
| Dividend Yield | — | 7.02% |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2014-10-29 | 2011-10-20 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Sector Equity | Sector Equity |
| Beta | 1.35 | 0.32 |
| 52-Week High | $146.42 | $12.16 |
| 52-Week Low | $97.58 | $10.11 |
| 50-Day MA | $118.14 | $11.96 |
| 200-Day MA | $112.00 | $11.57 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | FHQ | ZWU |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +33.01%✓ | +7.30% |
| 1 Year | +40.75%✓ | +15.86% |
| 3 Year | +24.42%✓ | +11.28% |
| 5 Year | +14.19%✓ | +6.62% |
| 10 Year | +20.52%✓ | +6.25% |
| 1Y Volatility | 22.71% | 8.53% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.09 | 0.76 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | MRVL | Marvell Technology Group Ltd | 2.38% |
| 2 | MU | Micron Technology Inc | 2.18% |
| 3 | MPWR | Monolithic Power Systems Inc | 2.11% |
| 4 | AMD | Advanced Micro Devices Inc | 1.89% |
| 5 | VRT | Vertiv Holdings Co | 1.87% |
| 6 | SWKS | Skyworks Solutions Inc | 1.87% |
| 7 | DELL | Dell Technologies Inc | 1.82% |
| 8 | JBL | Jabil Circuit Inc | 1.81% |
| 9 | MTSI | MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings Inc | 1.81% |
| 10 | ZM | Zoom Video Communications Inc | 1.72% |
| 1 | TRP | TC Energy Corp | 5.22% |
| 2 | H | Hydro One Ltd | 5.20% |
| 3 | FTS | Fortis Inc | 5.12% |
| 4 | ZUT | BMO Equal Weight Utilities Index ETF | 5.07% |
| 5 | ENB | Enbridge Inc | 5.00% |
| 6 | VZ | Verizon Communications Inc | 4.71% |
| 7 | PPL | Pembina Pipeline Corp | 4.63% |
| 8 | T | AT&T Inc. | 4.61% |
| 9 | WMB | Williams Companies Inc | 4.59% |
| 10 | EMA | Emera Inc. | 4.12% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | FHQ | ZWU |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 5.87% | 21.56% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.97% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 26.64% |
| Financial Services | 0.56% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 4.49% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 88.11% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 51.80% |
About FHQ
First Trust AlphaDEX US Technology (FHQ.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 FHQ and ZWU are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
FHQ and ZWU are closely matched on the metrics we track. The right choice depends on your individual investment goals, tax situation, and time horizon.
- 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 FHQ and ZWU?
FHQ (First Trust AlphaDEX US Technology) and ZWU (BMO Covered Call Utilities ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($28M vs $2.17B), dividend yield (N/A vs 7.02%), and year-to-date performance (+33.01% vs +7.30%).
Is FHQ better than ZWU?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, FHQ has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy FHQ and ZWU on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both FHQ and ZWU should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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