A side-by-side comparison of iShares Semiconductor Index ETF (XCHP) and BMO Covered Call Utilities ETF (ZWU) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
CIBC Investor's Edge
Transfer your investments to CIBC Investor's Edge and get rewarded with an offer of up to $3,000.
- ✓$6.95 flat-rate commissions
- ✓Backed by Big Five bank security
- ✓Transfer bonus offer up to $3,000
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | XCHP | ZWU |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +94.25%✓ | +7.30% |
| 1-Day Change | +5.81%✓ | +0.76% |
| 1-Week Change | +6.28%✓ | -2.22% |
| 1-Month Change | +32.30%✓ | -0.58% |
| Current Price | $145.38 | $11.90 |
| AUM | $245M | $2.17B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | 0.65% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.28% | 7.02%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Annually | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2023-09-06 | 2011-10-20 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Sector Equity | Sector Equity |
| Beta | 0.00 | 0.32 |
| 52-Week High | $145.43 | $12.16 |
| 52-Week Low | $50.68 | $10.11 |
| 50-Day MA | $105.90 | $11.96 |
| 200-Day MA | $81.13 | $11.57 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XCHP | ZWU |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +94.25%✓ | +7.30% |
| 1 Year | +180.15%✓ | +15.86% |
| 3 Year | — | +11.28% |
| 5 Year | — | +6.62% |
| 10 Year | — | +6.25% |
| 1Y Volatility | 42.96% | 8.53% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | — | 0.76 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | AMD | Advanced Micro Devices Inc | 8.03% |
| 2 | AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 7.94% |
| 3 | MU | Micron Technology Inc | 7.63% |
| 4 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 6.85% |
| 5 | INTC | Intel Corporation | 6.30% |
| 6 | MRVL | Marvell Technology Group Ltd | 6.15% |
| 7 | AMAT | Applied Materials Inc | 4.80% |
| 8 | MPWR | Monolithic Power Systems Inc | 4.29% |
| 9 | TXN | Texas Instruments Incorporated | 4.02% |
| 10 | NXPI | NXP Semiconductors NV | 3.93% |
| 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 | XCHP | ZWU |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 21.56% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 26.64% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 51.80% |
About XCHP
iShares Semiconductor Index ETF is an exchange traded fund launched and managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited. It is co-managed by BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. It invests in public equity markets of the United States. The fund invests directly and through other funds in stocks of companies operating across information technology, semiconductors and semiconductor equipment sectors. The fund invests in growth and value stocks of companies across diversified market cap…
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 XCHP 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 XCHP and ZWU?
XCHP (iShares Semiconductor Index ETF) and ZWU (BMO Covered Call Utilities ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($245M vs $2.17B), dividend yield (0.28% vs 7.02%), and year-to-date performance (+94.25% vs +7.30%).
Is XCHP better than ZWU?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, XCHP has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy XCHP and ZWU on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XCHP and ZWU should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
7 stocks to buy and hold forever
Complement your ETF portfolio with these proven long-term individual stocks.
Get the FREE Report