A side-by-side comparison of Hamilton Utilities YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF (UMAX) and BMO Equal Weight Utilities Index ETF (ZUT) 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 | UMAX | ZUT |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +2.47% | +17.46%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.45% | +0.67%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -1.60% | -0.63%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +1.77%✓ | +3.82% |
| Current Price | $13.51 | $29.87 |
| AUM | $1.33B✓ | $887M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 14.37%✓ | 2.92% |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2023-06-14 | 2010-01-19 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Sector Equity | Sector Equity |
| Beta | 0.00 | 0.46 |
| 52-Week High | $13.63 | $30.08 |
| 52-Week Low | $11.67 | $23.39 |
| 50-Day MA | $13.39 | $28.96 |
| 200-Day MA | $13.47 | $26.87 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | UMAX | ZUT |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +2.47% | +17.46%✓ |
| 1 Year | +12.69% | +29.97%✓ |
| 3 Year | — | +13.51% |
| 5 Year | — | +8.11% |
| 10 Year | — | +10.59% |
| 1Y Volatility | 6.81% | 12.68% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | — | 0.65 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | TRP | TC Energy Corp | 8.39% |
| 2 | CP | Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd | 8.37% |
| 3 | PPL | Pembina Pipeline Corp | 8.26% |
| 4 | ENB | Enbridge Inc | 8.14% |
| 5 | CNR | Canadian National Railway Co | 8.10% |
| 6 | H | Hydro One Ltd | 8.05% |
| 7 | EMA | Emera Inc. | 7.85% |
| 8 | FTS | Fortis Inc | 7.74% |
| 9 | WCN | Waste Connections Inc | 7.54% |
| 10 | RCI-B | Rogers Communications Inc | 7.44% |
| 1 | BLX | Boralex Inc | 10.02% |
| 2 | NPI | Northland Power Inc. | 8.08% |
| 3 | ALA | AltaGas Ltd | 8.07% |
| 4 | BEP-UN | Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P | 7.86% |
| 5 | ACO-X | ATCO Ltd | 7.60% |
| 6 | CPX | Capital Power Corporation | 7.57% |
| 7 | EMA | Emera Inc. | 7.47% |
| 8 | AQN | Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp | 7.46% |
| 9 | CU | Canadian Utilities Limited | 7.42% |
| 10 | FTS | Fortis Inc | 7.22% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | UMAX | ZUT |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 21.44% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 24.38% | 8.22% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 23.61% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 30.57% | 91.78% |
About UMAX
UMAX is designed for attractive monthly income, while providing exposure to a portfolio of utility services equity securities, primarily domiciled/listed in Canada and the U.S. To reduce volatility and augment dividend income, UMAX will employ an active covered call strategy.
About ZUT
BMO Equal Weight Utilities Index ETF (ZUT.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 UMAX and ZUT 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, UMAX 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 UMAX and ZUT?
UMAX (Hamilton Utilities YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF) and ZUT (BMO Equal Weight Utilities Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($1.33B vs $887M), dividend yield (14.37% vs 2.92%), and year-to-date performance (+2.47% vs +17.46%).
Is UMAX better than ZUT?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy UMAX and ZUT on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both UMAX and ZUT should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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