A side-by-side comparison of iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF (XDG) and BMO Global High Dividend Covered Call ETF (ZWG) 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 | ZWG |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +11.40%✓ | +7.75% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.18%✓ | -0.33% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.92%✓ | -2.18% |
| 1-Month Change | +2.42%✓ | -1.49% |
| Current Price | $33.41 | $36.29 |
| AUM | $761M✓ | $315M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0%✓ | 0.65% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.74% | 5.74%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | — |
| Inception Date | 2017-06-07 | 2020-01-15 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | Global Dividend & Income Equity | Global Dividend & Income Equity |
| Beta | 0.50 | 0.67 |
| 52-Week High | $34.63 | $38.01 |
| 52-Week Low | $26.81 | $29.68 |
| 50-Day MA | $32.70 | $36.31 |
| 200-Day MA | $31.32 | $34.74 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XDG | ZWG |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +11.40%✓ | +7.75% |
| 1 Year | +22.93%✓ | +22.75% |
| 3 Year | +16.73%✓ | +16.34% |
| 5 Year | +11.65%✓ | +10.70% |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 8.90% | 7.27% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.40 | 1.47 |
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 | CAT | Caterpillar Inc | 5.20% |
| 2 | CSCO | Cisco Systems Inc | 5.03% |
| 3 | ABBV | AbbVie Inc | 4.24% |
| 4 | HD | The Home Depot Inc | 4.06% |
| 5 | JPM | JPMorgan Chase & Co | 4.05% |
| 6 | MRK | Merck & Company Inc | 3.92% |
| 7 | IBM | International Business Machines | 3.87% |
| 8 | AAPL | Apple Inc. | 3.82% |
| 9 | XOM | Exxon Mobil Corp | 3.76% |
| 10 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 3.55% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XDG | ZWG |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 2.26% | 5.21% |
| Communication Services | 2.97% | 6.61% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 9.40% | 6.92% |
| Consumer Defensive | 15.02% | 5.20% |
| Energy | 10.99% | 6.72% |
| Financial Services | 14.57% | 16.13% |
| Healthcare | 21.93% | 9.61% |
| Industrials | 11.42% | 9.01% |
| Real Estate | 0.14% | 2.53% |
| Technology | 5.50% | 29.27% |
| Utilities | 5.80% | 2.77% |
About XDG
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About ZWG
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both XDG and ZWG 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, XDG 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 ZWG?
XDG (iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF) and ZWG (BMO Global High Dividend Covered Call ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($761M vs $315M), dividend yield (2.74% vs 5.74%), and year-to-date performance (+11.40% vs +7.75%).
Is XDG better than ZWG?
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 ZWG on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XDG and ZWG should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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