A side-by-side comparison of BMO Growth ETF (ZGRO) and iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio (XGRO) 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 | ZGRO | XGRO |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +8.58%✓ | +8.34% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.21% | -0.18%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -1.04%✓ | -1.12% |
| 1-Month Change | -2.10% | -2.17%✓ |
| Current Price | $19.10 | $37.95 |
| AUM | $768M | $4.97B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.43% | 1.89%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2019-02-12 | 2007-06-21 |
| Holdings Count | 8 | 8 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Category | Global Equity Balanced | Global Equity Balanced |
| Beta | 1.08 | 1.06 |
| 52-Week High | $19.72 | $38.95 |
| 52-Week Low | $15.66 | $31.58 |
| 50-Day MA | $19.18 | $38.14 |
| 200-Day MA | $18.14 | $36.21 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZGRO | XGRO |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +8.58%✓ | +8.34% |
| 1 Year | +21.10%✓ | +20.67% |
| 3 Year | +17.63% | +17.75%✓ |
| 5 Year | +10.86%✓ | +10.81% |
| 10 Year | — | +10.28% |
| 1Y Volatility | 8.52% | 7.99% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.59 | 1.64 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 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% |
| 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% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZGRO | XGRO |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 6.75% | 6.39% |
| Communication Services | 6.79% | 6.06% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.93% | 7.74% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.36% | 4.50% |
| Energy | 7.29% | 6.86% |
| Financial Services | 20.01% | 21.76% |
| Healthcare | 6.17% | 6.97% |
| Industrials | 10.79% | 12.13% |
| Real Estate | 1.86% | 2.22% |
| Technology | 25.37% | 22.60% |
| Utilities | 2.67% | 2.76% |
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.
About XGRO
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ZGRO and XGRO 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 ZGRO and XGRO?
ZGRO (BMO Growth ETF) and XGRO (iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($768M vs $4.97B), dividend yield (1.43% vs 1.89%), and year-to-date performance (+8.58% vs +8.34%).
Is ZGRO better than XGRO?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, ZGRO has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ZGRO and XGRO on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZGRO and XGRO should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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