A side-by-side comparison of BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity (CAD Hedged) (ZQQ) and iShares Core S&P 500 (CAD Hedged) (XSP) 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 | ZQQ | XSP |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +20.52%✓ | +10.29% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.46%✓ | +0.13% |
| 1-Week Change | +2.19%✓ | +1.22% |
| 1-Month Change | +10.74%✓ | +5.37% |
| Current Price | $207.60 | $76.88 |
| AUM | $3.25B | $15.61B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.25% | 1.18%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Annually | Half-yearly |
| Inception Date | 2010-01-19 | 2001-05-24 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | US Equity | US Equity |
| Beta | 1.16 | 0.98 |
| 52-Week High | $207.63 | $76.96 |
| 52-Week Low | $147.91 | $60.43 |
| 50-Day MA | $182.95 | $71.60 |
| 200-Day MA | $176.50 | $69.70 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZQQ | XSP |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +20.52%✓ | +10.29% |
| 1 Year | +39.60%✓ | +27.03% |
| 3 Year | +26.93%✓ | +21.37% |
| 5 Year | +16.14%✓ | +12.46% |
| 10 Year | +20.00%✓ | +13.85% |
| 1Y Volatility | 19.83% | 13.06% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.28 | 1.27 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 9.04% |
| 2 | AAPL | Apple Inc | 7.06% |
| 3 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 5.61% |
| 4 | AMZN | Amazon.com Inc | 5.02% |
| 5 | GOOGL | Alphabet Inc Class A | 3.62% |
| 6 | META | Meta Platforms Inc. | 3.51% |
| 7 | AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 3.42% |
| 8 | GOOG | Alphabet Inc Class C | 3.36% |
| 9 | TSLA | Tesla Inc | 3.31% |
| 10 | WMT | Walmart Inc. | 3.07% |
| 1 | IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 99.91% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZQQ | XSP |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 1.14% | 1.69% |
| Communication Services | 15.64% | 10.78% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 12.27% | 9.84% |
| Consumer Defensive | 7.57% | 4.61% |
| Energy | 0.61% | 3.25% |
| Financial Services | 0.22% | 11.23% |
| Healthcare | 4.07% | 8.31% |
| Industrials | 2.98% | 7.94% |
| Real Estate | 0.07% | 1.85% |
| Technology | 54.06% | 38.33% |
| Utilities | 1.36% | 2.17% |
About ZQQ
The BMO Nasdaq 100 Equity Hedged to CAD Index ETF has been designed to replicate, to the extent possible, the performance of teh NASDAQ-100 Index Hedged to CAD, 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. The U.S. dollar currency exposure is hedged back to the Canadian dollar.
About XSP
iShares Core S&P 500 (CAD Hedged) (XSP.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ZQQ and XSP 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, XSP 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 ZQQ and XSP?
ZQQ (BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity (CAD Hedged)) and XSP (iShares Core S&P 500 (CAD Hedged)) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($3.25B vs $15.61B), dividend yield (0.25% vs 1.18%), and year-to-date performance (+20.52% vs +10.29%).
Is ZQQ better than XSP?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, ZQQ has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ZQQ and XSP on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZQQ and XSP should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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