COMM.TO vs. ZDV.TO

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

COMM.TO (BMO Global Communications Index ETF) and ZDV.TO (BMO Canadian Dividend ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - COMM.TO is a Communications Equities fund tracking the Solactive Media and Communications Index, while ZDV.TO is a Canada Equities fund actively managed by BMO. COMM.TO is passively managed, while ZDV.TO is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, COMM.TO returned 10.78%/yr vs 16.38%/yr for ZDV.TO. At a 0.38 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.39% expense ratio.

Performance

COMM.TO vs. ZDV.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in BMO Global Communications Index ETF (COMM.TO) and BMO Canadian Dividend ETF (ZDV.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, COMM.TO achieves a 8.72% return, which is significantly lower than ZDV.TO's 22.62% return.

COMM.TO

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: -0.30%
• 6M: 9.87%
• YTD: 8.72%
• 1Y: 11.86%
• 3Y*: 21.26%
• 5Y*: 10.78%
• 10Y*: —

ZDV.TO

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: 1.77%
• 6M: 19.09%
• YTD: 22.62%
• 1Y: 42.09%
• 3Y*: 24.69%
• 5Y*: 16.38%
• 10Y*: 12.29%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

COMM.TO vs. ZDV.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
COMM.TO BMO Global Communications Index ETF	8.72%	10.14%	38.71%	31.81%	-23.48%	10.09%	21.23%	21.63%	-3.00%
ZDV.TO BMO Canadian Dividend ETF	22.62%	28.82%	16.83%	8.14%	-1.66%	28.75%	-3.51%	22.89%	-5.74%

Correlation

The correlation between COMM.TO and ZDV.TO is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 8, 2018	0.38

The correlation between COMM.TO and ZDV.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.25 (3 years) to 0.38 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

COMM.TO vs. ZDV.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	COMM.TO	ZDV.TO
Communication Services	62.6%	5.7%
Technology	35.1%	-
Industrials	2.3%	3.2%
Real Estate	0.1%	4.1%
Basic Materials	-	10.6%
Consumer Cyclical	-	1.3%
Consumer Defensive	-	2.2%
Energy	-	25.7%
Financial Services	-	36.2%
Healthcare	-	0.8%
Utilities	-	10.3%

Return for Risk

COMM.TO vs. ZDV.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

COMM.TO

COMM.TO Risk / Return Rank: 25
COMM.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 25
COMM.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 25
COMM.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 26
COMM.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
COMM.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 23

ZDV.TO

ZDV.TO Risk / Return Rank: 98
ZDV.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
ZDV.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
ZDV.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 98
ZDV.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 97
ZDV.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 98

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

COMM.TO vs. ZDV.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO Global Communications Index ETF (COMM.TO) and BMO Canadian Dividend ETF (ZDV.TO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	COMM.TO	ZDV.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.77	4.85	-4.08
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.19	6.58	-5.39
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.94	-0.78
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.12	7.80	-6.69
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.32	39.92	-37.60

COMM.TO vs. ZDV.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current COMM.TO Sharpe Ratio is 0.77, which is lower than the ZDV.TO Sharpe Ratio of 4.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of COMM.TO and ZDV.TO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

COMM.TO vs. ZDV.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum COMM.TO drawdown since its inception was -29.87%, smaller than the maximum ZDV.TO drawdown of -43.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COMM.TO and ZDV.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	COMM.TO	ZDV.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-29.87%	-43.20%	+13.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.66%	-5.42%	-5.24%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.79%	-9.04%	-6.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.87%	-16.61%	-13.26%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-43.20%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.30%	0.00%	-2.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.39%	-4.91%	-1.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.13%	1.06%	+4.07%

Volatility

COMM.TO vs. ZDV.TO - Volatility Comparison

BMO Global Communications Index ETF (COMM.TO) has a higher volatility of 4.16% compared to BMO Canadian Dividend ETF (ZDV.TO) at 1.96%. This indicates that COMM.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ZDV.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	COMM.TO	ZDV.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.16%	1.96%	+2.20%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.65%	7.29%	+2.36%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.40%	8.73%	+6.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.82%	10.60%	+4.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.83%	14.93%	+0.90%

COMM.TO vs. ZDV.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both COMM.TO and ZDV.TO have an expense ratio of 0.39%.

Dividends

COMM.TO vs. ZDV.TO - Dividend Comparison

COMM.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.96%, less than ZDV.TO's 2.62% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
COMM.TO BMO Global Communications Index ETF	0.96%	1.07%	1.13%	1.51%	2.09%	1.60%	1.31%	1.52%	1.24%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ZDV.TO BMO Canadian Dividend ETF	2.62%	3.07%	3.82%	4.39%	4.38%	3.88%	4.79%	4.53%	5.28%	4.04%	4.31%	4.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both COMM.TO and ZDV.TO in my portfolio?

COMM.TO and ZDV.TO have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, COMM.TO or ZDV.TO?

Both ETFs have the same 0.39% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, COMM.TO or ZDV.TO?

COMM.TO and ZDV.TO have the same expense ratio: 0.39% per year.

What is the main difference between COMM.TO and ZDV.TO?

COMM.TO is categorized as Communications Equities, while ZDV.TO is Canada Equities.