A side-by-side comparison of iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF (XDG) and BMO International Dividend ETF (ZDI) 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 | XDG | ZDI |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +11.40%✓ | +9.93% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.18%✓ | -0.31% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.92% | -0.47%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +2.42%✓ | -0.96% |
| Current Price | $33.41 | $31.99 |
| AUM | $761M | $880M✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0%✓ | 44% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.74% | 3.01%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2017-06-07 | 2014-11-05 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | Global Dividend & Income Equity | International Equity |
| Beta | 0.50 | 0.75 |
| 52-Week High | $34.63 | $32.75 |
| 52-Week Low | $26.81 | $25.48 |
| 50-Day MA | $32.70 | $31.79 |
| 200-Day MA | $31.32 | $30.33 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XDG | ZDI |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +11.40%✓ | +9.93% |
| 1 Year | +22.93% | +27.18%✓ |
| 3 Year | +16.73% | +18.40%✓ |
| 5 Year | +11.65% | +13.54%✓ |
| 10 Year | — | +10.03% |
| 1Y Volatility | 8.90% | 10.04% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.40 | 1.62 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | 3.12% |
| 2 | XOM | Exxon Mobil Corp | 2.90% |
| 3 | ABBV | AbbVie Inc | 2.27% |
| 4 | UNH | UnitedHealth Group Incorporated | 1.92% |
| 5 | HD | The Home Depot Inc | 1.79% |
| 6 | PG | Procter & Gamble Company | 1.74% |
| 7 | MRK | Merck & Company Inc | 1.62% |
| 8 | KO | The Coca-Cola Company | 1.61% |
| 9 | CVX | Chevron Corp | 1.56% |
| 10 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 1.48% |
| 1 | ASML | ASML Holding N.V. | 3.28% |
| 2 | HSBA | HSBC Holdings PLC | 2.63% |
| 3 | ISP | Intesa Sanpaolo SpA | 2.44% |
| 4 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 2.36% |
| 5 | RIO | Rio Tinto PLC | 2.35% |
| 6 | TTE | TotalEnergies SE | 2.22% |
| 7 | ENEL | Enel SpA | 2.18% |
| 8 | ENGI | Engie S.A. | 2.07% |
| 9 | D05 | DBS Group Holdings Ltd | 2.05% |
| 10 | SIE | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | 2.05% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XDG | ZDI |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 2.26% | 4.43% |
| Communication Services | 2.97% | 7.06% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 9.40% | 4.65% |
| Consumer Defensive | 15.02% | 6.69% |
| Energy | 10.99% | 6.48% |
| Financial Services | 14.57% | 27.01% |
| Healthcare | 21.93% | 7.78% |
| Industrials | 11.42% | 18.50% |
| Real Estate | 0.14% | 2.78% |
| Technology | 5.50% | 8.67% |
| Utilities | 5.80% | 5.95% |
About XDG
NA
About ZDI
BMO International Dividend ETF (ZDI.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 XDG and ZDI 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, ZDI 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 XDG and ZDI?
XDG (iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF) and ZDI (BMO International Dividend ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($761M vs $880M), dividend yield (2.74% vs 3.01%), and year-to-date performance (+11.40% vs +9.93%).
Is XDG better than ZDI?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, XDG has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy XDG and ZDI on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XDG and ZDI should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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