PDF.TO vs. ZDIV.TO

Last updated Jul 25, 2026

PDF.TO (Purpose Core Dividend Fund) and ZDIV.TO (BMO MSCI Canada IMI High Dividend Yield Index ETF) are both Dividend funds. PDF.TO is actively managed, while ZDIV.TO is passively managed. At a 0.35 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PDF.TO charges 0.66%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for ZDIV.TO.

Performance

PDF.TO vs. ZDIV.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Purpose Core Dividend Fund (PDF.TO) and BMO MSCI Canada IMI High Dividend Yield Index ETF (ZDIV.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

PDF.TO

• 1D: 0.62%
• 1M: 2.88%
• 6M: 16.53%
• YTD: 20.07%
• 1Y: 33.26%
• 3Y*: 18.64%
• 5Y*: 12.14%
• 10Y*: 9.50%
• ALL TIME*: 10.45%

ZDIV.TO

• 1D: 0.61%
• 1M: 6.29%
• 6M: —
• YTD: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: —

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
PDF.TO Purpose Core Dividend Fund	CA$201.50K	CA$240.90K	CA$226.04K
ZDIV.TO BMO MSCI Canada IMI High Dividend Yield Index ETF	CA$74.07K	CA$49.96K	CA$76.76K

PDF.TO vs. ZDIV.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)
PDF.TO Purpose Core Dividend Fund	15.03%
ZDIV.TO BMO MSCI Canada IMI High Dividend Yield Index ETF	20.87%

Correlation

The correlation between PDF.TO and ZDIV.TO is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 6, 2026	0.35

Return for Risk

PDF.TO vs. ZDIV.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

PDF.TO

PDF.TO Risk / Return Rank: 97
PDF.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 98
PDF.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
PDF.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 97
PDF.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
PDF.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 96

ZDIV.TO

Risk / return metrics aren't available yet — we need at least 12 months of trading data to calculate them.

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.

PDF.TO vs. ZDIV.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Purpose Core Dividend Fund (PDF.TO) and BMO MSCI Canada IMI High Dividend Yield Index ETF (ZDIV.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.

	PDF.TO	ZDIV.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.99	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	5.81	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.74	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.26	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	23.86	—	—

Drawdowns

PDF.TO vs. ZDIV.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PDF.TO drawdown since its inception was -36.00%, which is greater than ZDIV.TO's maximum drawdown of -2.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PDF.TO and ZDIV.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	PDF.TO	ZDIV.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.00%	-2.60%	-33.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.35%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.28%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.81%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.00%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.51%	0.00%	-0.51%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.45%	-0.51%	-2.94%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.40%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	PDF.TO	ZDIV.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.48%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.86%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.38%	9.66%	-1.28%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.33%	9.66%	+0.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.58%	9.66%	+3.92%

PDF.TO vs. ZDIV.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

PDF.TO has a 0.66% expense ratio, which is higher than ZDIV.TO's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

PDF.TO vs. ZDIV.TO - Dividend Comparison

PDF.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.79%, more than ZDIV.TO's 1.15% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PDF.TO Purpose Core Dividend Fund	2.79%	3.49%	3.82%	4.17%	3.77%	3.19%	3.84%	3.65%	4.33%	3.50%	3.38%	3.40%
ZDIV.TO BMO MSCI Canada IMI High Dividend Yield Index ETF	1.15%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PDF.TO and ZDIV.TO in my portfolio?

PDF.TO and ZDIV.TO have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, PDF.TO or ZDIV.TO?

On fees, ZDIV.TO is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, PDF.TO or ZDIV.TO?

ZDIV.TO is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.66% for PDF.TO.

What is the main difference between PDF.TO and ZDIV.TO?

They also come from different issuers: Purpose Investments Inc. and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.66% for PDF.TO and 0.09% for ZDIV.TO.