A side-by-side comparison of BMO Laddered Preferred Share Index ETF (ZPR) and iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (PFF) 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 | ZPR | PFF |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +3.57%✓ | -6.37% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.55% | -0.21%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -0.78% | -0.38%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -0.08%✓ | -2.71% |
| Current Price | $12.75 | $28.70 |
| AUM | $1.62B | $11.84B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | 0.43% |
| Dividend Yield | 5.26% | 5.41%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | NA |
| Inception Date | 2012-11-14 | 2007-03-26 |
| Holdings Count | 2 | 109 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Convertible & Preferred Securities | Convertible & Preferred Securities |
| Beta | 1.04 | 0.98 |
| 52-Week High | $13.00 | $31.04 |
| 52-Week Low | $11.08 | $28.58 |
| 50-Day MA | $12.94 | $29.74 |
| 200-Day MA | $12.74 | $30.73 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZPR | PFF |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +3.57%✓ | -6.37% |
| 1 Year | +12.19%✓ | -4.37% |
| 3 Year | +22.32%✓ | +6.65% |
| 5 Year | +7.32%✓ | -0.24% |
| 10 Year | +7.93%✓ | +2.60% |
| 1Y Volatility | 4.09% | 7.35% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.89 | 0.14 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | BCE | BCE Inc Cum Red 1st Pfd Registered Shs Series -AK- | 2.17% |
| 2 | FTS | Fortis Inc Cum Red 1st Pref Shs Series -M- | 1.44% |
| 1 | BOEING CO | 3.05% | |
| 2 | WELLS FARGO & COMPANY SERIES L | 2.16% | |
| 3 | BANK OF AMERICA CORP | 2.43% | |
| 4 | CITIGROUP CAPITAL XIII | 1.18% | |
| 5 | ALBEMARLE CORP | 1.00% | |
| 6 | BRIGHTSPRING HEALTH SERVICES UNITS | 0.77% | |
| 7 | JPMORGAN CHASE & CO | 0.73% | |
| 8 | JPMORGAN CHASE AND CO DS REPSTG T | 0.64% | |
| 9 | JPMORGAN CHASE NON-CUMULATIVE PREF | 0.62% | |
| 10 | STRIVE INC | 0.57% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZPR | PFF |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 13.82% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 6.80% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 82.16% |
About ZPR
The BMO Laddered Preferred Share Index ETF has been designed to replicate, to the extent possible, the performance of the Solactive Laddered Canadian Preferred Share Index, net of expenses. The Fund invests in and holds the Constituent Securities of the Index in the same proportion as they are reflected in the Index.
About PFF
The fund may invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of its underlying index and and may invest up to 20% of its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ZPR and PFF 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, PFF 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 ZPR and PFF?
ZPR (BMO Laddered Preferred Share Index ETF) and PFF (iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($1.62B vs $11.84B), dividend yield (5.26% vs 5.41%), and year-to-date performance (+3.57% vs -6.37%).
Is ZPR better than PFF?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, ZPR has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ZPR and PFF on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZPR and PFF should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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