A side-by-side comparison of BMO Covered Call Dow Jones Industrial Average Hedged to CAD ETF (ZWA) 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 | ZWA | XSP |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +0.86% | +10.29%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.41%✓ | +0.13% |
| 1-Week Change | +0.25% | +1.22%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +2.12%✓ | +5.37% |
| Current Price | $28.00 | $76.88 |
| AUM | $210M | $15.61B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.65% | 0%✓ |
| Dividend Yield | 5.68%✓ | 1.18% |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Half-yearly |
| Inception Date | 2011-10-20 | 2001-05-24 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | US Equity | US Equity |
| Beta | 0.78 | 0.98 |
| 52-Week High | $28.09 | $76.96 |
| 52-Week Low | $23.81 | $60.43 |
| 50-Day MA | $27.10 | $71.60 |
| 200-Day MA | $27.31 | $69.70 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZWA | XSP |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +0.86% | +10.29%✓ |
| 1 Year | +17.33% | +27.03%✓ |
| 3 Year | +12.86% | +21.37%✓ |
| 5 Year | +7.09% | +12.46%✓ |
| 10 Year | +9.81% | +13.85%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 9.19% | 13.06% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.83 | 1.27 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | GS | Goldman Sachs Group Inc | 11.43% |
| 2 | CAT | Caterpillar Inc | 10.22% |
| 3 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 5.36% |
| 4 | UNH | UnitedHealth Group Incorporated | 4.68% |
| 5 | AMGN | Amgen Inc | 4.27% |
| 6 | V | Visa Inc. Class A | 4.23% |
| 7 | HD | The Home Depot Inc | 4.07% |
| 8 | SHW | Sherwin-Williams Co | 4.01% |
| 9 | AXP | American Express Company | 3.98% |
| 10 | JPM | JPMorgan Chase & Co | 3.90% |
| 1 | IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | 99.91% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZWA | XSP |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 3.96% | 1.69% |
| Communication Services | 1.88% | 10.78% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 11.48% | 9.84% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.45% | 4.61% |
| Energy | 2.37% | 3.25% |
| Financial Services | 27.22% | 11.23% |
| Healthcare | 12.91% | 8.31% |
| Industrials | 18.31% | 7.94% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 1.85% |
| Technology | 17.42% | 38.33% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 2.17% |
About ZWA
BMO Covered Call Dow Jones Industrial Average Hedged to CAD ETF (ZWA.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
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 ZWA 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 ZWA and XSP?
ZWA (BMO Covered Call Dow Jones Industrial Average Hedged to CAD ETF) and XSP (iShares Core S&P 500 (CAD Hedged)) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($210M vs $15.61B), dividend yield (5.68% vs 1.18%), and year-to-date performance (+0.86% vs +10.29%).
Is ZWA better than XSP?
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 ZWA and XSP on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZWA and XSP should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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