A side-by-side comparison of iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio (XGRO) and BMO Growth ETF (ZGRO) 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 | XGRO | ZGRO |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +8.34% | +8.58%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.18%✓ | -0.21% |
| 1-Week Change | -1.12% | -1.04%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -2.17% | -2.10%✓ |
| Current Price | $37.95 | $19.10 |
| AUM | $4.97B✓ | $768M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.89%✓ | 1.43% |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2007-06-21 | 2019-02-12 |
| Holdings Count | 8 | 8 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | Global Equity Balanced | Global Equity Balanced |
| Beta | 1.06 | 1.08 |
| 52-Week High | $38.95 | $19.72 |
| 52-Week Low | $31.58 | $15.66 |
| 50-Day MA | $38.14 | $19.18 |
| 200-Day MA | $36.21 | $18.14 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XGRO | ZGRO |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +8.34% | +8.58%✓ |
| 1 Year | +20.67% | +21.10%✓ |
| 3 Year | +17.75%✓ | +17.63% |
| 5 Year | +10.81% | +10.86%✓ |
| 10 Year | +10.28% | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 7.99% | 8.52% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.64 | 1.59 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | ITOT | iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | 36.48% |
| 2 | XEF | iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI | 19.84% |
| 3 | XIC | XIC | 19.68% |
| 4 | XBB | BondBloxx BB Rated USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF | 12.91% |
| 5 | XEC | Cimarex Energy Co | 3.93% |
| 6 | XSH | XSH | 2.99% |
| 7 | USIG | iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | 1.95% |
| 8 | GOVT | iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF | 1.95% |
| 1 | ZSP | ZSP | 36.34% |
| 2 | ZCN | ZCN | 19.87% |
| 3 | ZDB | BMO Discount Bond ETF | 13.86% |
| 4 | ZEA | ZEA | 13.32% |
| 5 | ZEM | ZEM | 7.68% |
| 6 | ZUAG | BMO US Aggregate Bond ETF Hedged Units | 5.93% |
| 7 | ZMID | ZMID | 2.01% |
| 8 | ZSML | ETFS Zacks Earnings Small-Cap US | 0.99% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XGRO | ZGRO |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 6.39% | 6.75% |
| Communication Services | 6.06% | 6.79% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.74% | 7.93% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.50% | 4.36% |
| Energy | 6.86% | 7.29% |
| Financial Services | 21.76% | 20.01% |
| Healthcare | 6.97% | 6.17% |
| Industrials | 12.13% | 10.79% |
| Real Estate | 2.22% | 1.86% |
| Technology | 22.60% | 25.37% |
| Utilities | 2.76% | 2.67% |
About XGRO
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About ZGRO
The BMO Growth ETF is designed to provide long-term capital appreciation by investing in global equity and fixed income ETFs. The ETF will rebalance quarterly to strategic index asset allocation weights. The ETF will invest in broad indexed equity and fixed income ETFs. ZGRO is a fund of fund; the management fees charged are reduced by those accrued in the underlying funds.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both XGRO and ZGRO 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, XGRO 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 XGRO and ZGRO?
XGRO (iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio) and ZGRO (BMO Growth ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($4.97B vs $768M), dividend yield (1.89% vs 1.43%), and year-to-date performance (+8.34% vs +8.58%).
Is XGRO better than ZGRO?
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 XGRO and ZGRO on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XGRO and ZGRO should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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