A side-by-side comparison of BMO S&P US Small Cap Index ETF (ZSML) and First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) 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 | ZSML | SDVY |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +18.43%✓ | +1.48% |
| 1-Day Change | +1.11% | +1.53%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +2.04%✓ | +0.40% |
| 1-Month Change | +1.88%✓ | +4.73% |
| Current Price | $52.43 | $42.50 |
| AUM | $194M | $11.10B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | 0.59% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.09%✓ | 1.03% |
| Distribution Frequency | — | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2020-01-28 | 2017-11-01 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 172 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | US Small & Mid Cap Equity | US Small & Mid Cap Equity |
| Beta | 1.24 | 0.99 |
| 52-Week High | $56.36 | $45.00 |
| 52-Week Low | $41.16 | $36.03 |
| 50-Day MA | $52.25 | $42.17 |
| 200-Day MA | $50.50 | $41.91 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZSML | SDVY |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +18.43%✓ | +1.48% |
| 1 Year | +16.83%✓ | +12.52% |
| 3 Year | +19.06%✓ | +17.70% |
| 5 Year | +8.64% | +9.31%✓ |
| 10 Year | — | +0.00% |
| 1Y Volatility | 15.18% | 14.66% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.73 | 0.56 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | FORM | FormFactor Inc | 0.60% |
| 2 | VSAT | ViaSat Inc | 0.58% |
| 3 | QRVO | Qorvo Inc | 0.57% |
| 4 | GKOS | Glaukos Corp | 0.55% |
| 5 | PTGX | Protagonist Therapeutics Inc | 0.53% |
| 6 | MTCH | Match Group Inc | 0.53% |
| 7 | PAYC | Paycom Software, Inc. | 0.49% |
| 8 | RHP | Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc | 0.48% |
| 9 | JXN | Jackson Financial Inc | 0.49% |
| 10 | ESI | Element Solutions Inc | 0.49% |
| 1 | RGA | Reinsurance Group of America | 1.02% |
| 2 | NHC | National HealthCare Corporation | 1.07% |
| 3 | WSM | Williams-Sonoma Inc | 1.09% |
| 4 | THG | The Hanover Insurance Group Inc | 1.05% |
| 5 | IPAR | Inter Parfums Inc | 0.99% |
| 6 | FBP | First BanCorp. | 1.00% |
| 7 | AIZ | Assurant, Inc. | 1.03% |
| 8 | VRSN | VeriSign Inc | 1.03% |
| 9 | OFG | OFG Bancorp | 0.96% |
| 10 | WTS | Watts Water Technologies Inc | 0.94% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZSML | SDVY |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 4.57% | 4.09% |
| Communication Services | 3.35% | 3.18% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 11.95% | 9.55% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.59% | 5.11% |
| Energy | 6.17% | 3.30% |
| Financial Services | 16.58% | 36.15% |
| Healthcare | 10.77% | 3.49% |
| Industrials | 15.17% | 25.67% |
| Real Estate | 7.42% | 0.24% |
| Technology | 15.14% | 10.58% |
| Utilities | 1.77% | 0.00% |
About ZSML
NA
About SDVY
The fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in common stocks that comprise the index. The index is designed to measure the performance of a selection of securities that have increased their dividend value over the previous three year and five year annual periods.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ZSML and SDVY 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, ZSML 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 ZSML and SDVY?
ZSML (BMO S&P US Small Cap Index ETF) and SDVY (First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($194M vs $11.10B), dividend yield (1.09% vs 1.03%), and year-to-date performance (+18.43% vs +1.48%).
Is ZSML better than SDVY?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, ZSML has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ZSML and SDVY on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZSML and SDVY should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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