ESGA.TO vs. HAL.TO

Last updated Jul 21, 2026

ESGA.TO (BMO MSCI Canada Selection Equity Index ETF) and HAL.TO (Global X Active Canadian Dividend ETF) are both Canada Equities funds. Over the past 5 years, ESGA.TO returned 12.62%/yr vs 15.67%/yr for HAL.TO. A 0.59 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

ESGA.TO vs. HAL.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in BMO MSCI Canada Selection Equity Index ETF (ESGA.TO) and Global X Active Canadian Dividend ETF (HAL.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ESGA.TO achieves a 9.26% return, which is significantly lower than HAL.TO's 22.47% return.

ESGA.TO

• 1D: -0.04%
• 1M: 1.72%
• 6M: 5.14%
• YTD: 9.26%
• 1Y: 26.29%
• 3Y*: 23.04%
• 5Y*: 12.62%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 13.39%

HAL.TO

• 1D: -0.70%
• 1M: 3.33%
• 6M: 18.02%
• YTD: 22.47%
• 1Y: 45.28%
• 3Y*: 22.48%
• 5Y*: 15.67%
• 10Y*: 11.94%
• ALL TIME*: 10.75%

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

ESGA.TO vs. HAL.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
ESGA.TO BMO MSCI Canada Selection Equity Index ETF	9.26%	32.44%	21.41%	13.92%	-15.59%	24.90%	7.30%
HAL.TO Global X Active Canadian Dividend ETF	22.47%	24.60%	21.69%	-0.73%	3.43%	21.17%	-4.85%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGA.TO and HAL.TO is 0.59, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.59
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.63
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 15, 2020	0.59

The correlation between ESGA.TO and HAL.TO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

ESGA.TO vs. HAL.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ESGA.TO	HAL.TO
Financial Services	42.6%	26.9%
Energy	13.4%	22.4%
Technology	12.9%	-
Basic Materials	12.3%	14.0%
Industrials	8.5%	15.0%
Consumer Defensive	5.2%	4.0%
Utilities	2.9%	12.6%
Consumer Cyclical	0.9%	1.8%
Communication Services	0.7%	-
Real Estate	0.4%	3.2%
Healthcare	-	-

Return for Risk

ESGA.TO vs. HAL.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

ESGA.TO

ESGA.TO Risk / Return Rank: 80
ESGA.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 81
ESGA.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 79
ESGA.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 80
ESGA.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
ESGA.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 80

HAL.TO

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

ESGA.TO vs. HAL.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO MSCI Canada Selection Equity Index ETF (ESGA.TO) and Global X Active Canadian Dividend ETF (HAL.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.

	ESGA.TO	HAL.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.94	4.57	-2.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.68	5.94	-3.25
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.95	-0.60
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.10	8.84	-5.74
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.09	39.84	-28.75

ESGA.TO vs. HAL.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGA.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.94, which is lower than the HAL.TO Sharpe Ratio of 4.57. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGA.TO and HAL.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

ESGA.TO vs. HAL.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGA.TO drawdown since its inception was -32.68%, smaller than the maximum HAL.TO drawdown of -39.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGA.TO and HAL.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ESGA.TO	HAL.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.68%	-39.70%	+7.02%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.51%	-5.15%	-3.36%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.94%	-12.44%	-0.50%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.40%	-16.43%	-6.97%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-39.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.41%	-0.70%	+0.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.29%	-4.73%	-1.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.37%	1.14%	+1.23%

Volatility

ESGA.TO vs. HAL.TO - Volatility Comparison

BMO MSCI Canada Selection Equity Index ETF (ESGA.TO) and Global X Active Canadian Dividend ETF (HAL.TO) have volatilities of 2.32% and 2.39%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ESGA.TO	HAL.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.32%	2.39%	-0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.52%	8.25%	+2.27%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.65%	9.98%	+3.67%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.83%	12.34%	+1.49%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.19%	17.65%	-1.46%

Dividends

ESGA.TO vs. HAL.TO - Dividend Comparison

ESGA.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.85%, which matches HAL.TO's 1.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ESGA.TO BMO MSCI Canada Selection Equity Index ETF	1.85%	1.93%	2.50%	2.98%	3.42%	2.66%	3.23%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
HAL.TO Global X Active Canadian Dividend ETF	1.86%	2.37%	2.79%	3.60%	4.84%	2.99%	3.57%	3.03%	3.50%	3.32%	2.99%	3.62%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ESGA.TO and HAL.TO in my portfolio?

ESGA.TO and HAL.TO have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

What is the main difference between ESGA.TO and HAL.TO?

They also come from different issuers: BMO and Global X.