HXEM.TO vs. ZGD.TO

Last updated Jul 15, 2026

HXEM.TO (Global X Emerging Markets Equity Index Corporate Class ETF) and ZGD.TO (BMO Equal Weight Global Gold Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HXEM.TO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the Global X Emerging Markets Futures Roll Index (Total Return), while ZGD.TO is a Gold fund tracking the Solactive Equal Weight Global Gold Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, HXEM.TO returned 8.42%/yr vs 26.57%/yr for ZGD.TO. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. HXEM.TO charges 0.25%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for ZGD.TO.

Performance

HXEM.TO vs. ZGD.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Global X Emerging Markets Equity Index Corporate Class ETF (HXEM.TO) and BMO Equal Weight Global Gold Index ETF (ZGD.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HXEM.TO achieves a 23.28% return, which is significantly higher than ZGD.TO's -5.86% return.

HXEM.TO

• 1D: 1.21%
• 1M: -2.14%
• 6M: 16.11%
• YTD: 23.28%
• 1Y: 41.02%
• 3Y*: 21.39%
• 5Y*: 8.42%
• 10Y*: —

ZGD.TO

• 1D: 0.92%
• 1M: -5.70%
• 6M: -15.26%
• YTD: -5.86%
• 1Y: 46.81%
• 3Y*: 45.94%
• 5Y*: 26.57%
• 10Y*: 13.45%

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

HXEM.TO vs. ZGD.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
HXEM.TO Global X Emerging Markets Equity Index Corporate Class ETF	23.28%	26.46%	14.53%	7.09%	-16.39%	-2.71%	12.67%
ZGD.TO BMO Equal Weight Global Gold Index ETF	-5.86%	143.74%	37.44%	10.13%	-2.33%	-12.59%	-18.45%

Correlation

The correlation between HXEM.TO and ZGD.TO is 0.41, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.41
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.25
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 7, 2020	0.26

The correlation between HXEM.TO and ZGD.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.25 (3 years) to 0.41 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

HXEM.TO vs. ZGD.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

HXEM.TO

HXEM.TO Risk / Return Rank: 70
HXEM.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
HXEM.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
HXEM.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 71
HXEM.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
HXEM.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 73

ZGD.TO

ZGD.TO Risk / Return Rank: 32
ZGD.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 33
ZGD.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 32
ZGD.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 34
ZGD.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
ZGD.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 29

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.

HXEM.TO vs. ZGD.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Emerging Markets Equity Index Corporate Class ETF (HXEM.TO) and BMO Equal Weight Global Gold Index ETF (ZGD.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.

	HXEM.TO	ZGD.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.75	0.96	+0.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.28	1.42	+0.86
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	1.19	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.34	1.40	+1.94
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.71	3.21	+7.49

HXEM.TO vs. ZGD.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HXEM.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.75, which is higher than the ZGD.TO Sharpe Ratio of 0.96. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HXEM.TO and ZGD.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

HXEM.TO vs. ZGD.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HXEM.TO drawdown since its inception was -35.00%, smaller than the maximum ZGD.TO drawdown of -60.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HXEM.TO and ZGD.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	HXEM.TO	ZGD.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.00%	-60.59%	+25.59%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.34%	-33.55%	+21.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.40%	-33.55%	+18.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.64%	-42.75%	+13.11%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-51.83%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-8.26%	-31.56%	+23.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.56%	-28.83%	+15.27%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.84%	14.61%	-10.77%

Volatility

HXEM.TO vs. ZGD.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X Emerging Markets Equity Index Corporate Class ETF (HXEM.TO) is 11.40%, while BMO Equal Weight Global Gold Index ETF (ZGD.TO) has a volatility of 15.29%. This indicates that HXEM.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ZGD.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HXEM.TO	ZGD.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.40%	15.29%	-3.89%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.61%	40.14%	-18.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	23.56%	48.94%	-25.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.08%	37.40%	-19.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.74%	37.66%	-19.92%

HXEM.TO vs. ZGD.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

HXEM.TO has a 0.25% expense ratio, which is lower than ZGD.TO's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

HXEM.TO vs. ZGD.TO - Dividend Comparison

HXEM.TO has not paid dividends to shareholders, while ZGD.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.23%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HXEM.TO Global X Emerging Markets Equity Index Corporate Class ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ZGD.TO BMO Equal Weight Global Gold Index ETF	0.23%	0.22%	0.56%	0.72%	0.73%	0.36%	0.15%	1.14%	0.00%	0.00%	0.06%	0.09%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HXEM.TO and ZGD.TO in my portfolio?

HXEM.TO and ZGD.TO have a correlation of 0.41, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, HXEM.TO or ZGD.TO?

On fees, HXEM.TO is cheaper at 0.25% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, HXEM.TO or ZGD.TO?

HXEM.TO is cheaper with a 0.25% expense ratio, compared with 0.60% for ZGD.TO.

What is the main difference between HXEM.TO and ZGD.TO?

HXEM.TO is categorized as Emerging Markets Equities, while ZGD.TO is Gold. HXEM.TO tracks Global X Emerging Markets Futures Roll Index (Total Return), while ZGD.TO tracks Solactive Equal Weight Global Gold Index. They also come from different issuers: Global X and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.25% for HXEM.TO and 0.60% for ZGD.TO.