A side-by-side comparison of BMO MSCI China Selection Equity Index ETF (ZCH) and iShares MSCI China ETF (MCHI) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | ZCH | MCHI |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -21.04% | -7.62%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.18%✓ | -0.16% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.24% | -0.12%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -6.31% | -6.19%✓ |
| Current Price | $16.78 | $48.96 |
| AUM | $107M | $5.52B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | 0.58% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.42% | 2.05%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Annually | NA |
| Inception Date | 2010-01-19 | 2011-03-29 |
| Holdings Count | 6 | 576 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Greater China Equity | Greater China Equity |
| Beta | 1.02 | 0.45 |
| 52-Week High | $22.52 | $64.48 |
| 52-Week Low | $16.60 | $48.65 |
| 50-Day MA | $17.99 | $52.70 |
| 200-Day MA | $18.77 | $55.87 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZCH | MCHI |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -21.04% | -7.62%✓ |
| 1 Year | -25.77% | -24.70%✓ |
| 3 Year | +9.81%✓ | +8.52% |
| 5 Year | -4.55%✓ | -4.79% |
| 10 Year | -0.82% | +2.26%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 18.34% | 16.00% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.42 | 0.31 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | 0700 | Tencent Holdings Ltd | 20.88% |
| 2 | 9988 | Alibaba Group Holding Ltd | 13.93% |
| 3 | 3690 | Meituan | 2.76% |
| 4 | 9999 | NetEase Inc | 2.64% |
| 5 | 0992 | Lenovo Group | 2.15% |
| 6 | 9618 | Jd Com Inc | 1.88% |
| 1 | 0700 | Tencent Holdings Ltd | 13.50% |
| 2 | 9988 | Alibaba Group Holding Ltd | 8.96% |
| 3 | 0939 | China Construction Bank Corp | 4.65% |
| 4 | 1398 | Industrial and Commercial Bank of China | 2.79% |
| 5 | 1810 | Xiaomi Corp | 2.42% |
| 6 | 3988 | Bank of China Ltd H | 2.26% |
| 7 | 3690 | Meituan | 1.97% |
| 8 | PDD | PDD Holdings Inc. | 1.77% |
| 9 | 9999 | NetEase Inc | 1.75% |
| 10 | 2318 | Ping An Insurance | 1.75% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZCH | MCHI |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 2.46% | 4.84% |
| Communication Services | 25.61% | 17.93% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 30.27% | 23.75% |
| Consumer Defensive | 2.15% | 3.24% |
| Energy | 1.41% | 3.97% |
| Financial Services | 21.30% | 22.00% |
| Healthcare | 8.46% | 6.63% |
| Industrials | 3.30% | 4.68% |
| Real Estate | 1.83% | 1.70% |
| Technology | 3.26% | 10.60% |
| Utilities | 1.03% | 1.71% |
About ZCH
The BMO China Equity Index ETF has been designed to replicate, to the extent possible, the performance of the BNY Mellon China Select ADR Index, net of expenses. The ETF will gain exposure to the broad Chinese equity market by holding a basket of American Depository Receipts. The ETF invests in and holds the Constituent Securities of the Index in the same proportion as they are reflected in the Index.
About MCHI
The fund generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of the underlying index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the component securities of the underlying index. The index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the performance of equity securities in the top 85% in market capitalization of the Chinese equity securities markets, as represented by the H-shares …
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ZCH and MCHI 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, MCHI 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 ZCH and MCHI?
ZCH (BMO MSCI China Selection Equity Index ETF) and MCHI (iShares MSCI China ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($107M vs $5.52B), dividend yield (1.42% vs 2.05%), and year-to-date performance (-21.04% vs -7.62%).
Is ZCH better than MCHI?
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 ZCH and MCHI on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZCH and MCHI should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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