VDU.TO vs. ZLI.TO
VDU.TO (Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex U.S. Index ETF) and ZLI.TO (BMO Low Volatility International Equity ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. VDU.TO is passively managed, while ZLI.TO is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VDU.TO returned 10.12%/yr vs 5.94%/yr for ZLI.TO. Their 0.64 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently. VDU.TO charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.40%/yr for ZLI.TO.
Performance
VDU.TO vs. ZLI.TO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VDU.TO achieves a 16.08% return, which is significantly higher than ZLI.TO's 8.28% return. Over the past 10 years, VDU.TO has outperformed ZLI.TO with an annualized return of 10.12%, while ZLI.TO has yielded a comparatively lower 5.94% annualized return.
VDU.TO
- 1D
- -0.46%
- 1M
- -1.58%
- 6M
- 9.52%
- YTD
- 16.08%
- 1Y
- 30.94%
- 3Y*
- 19.41%
- 5Y*
- 11.64%
- 10Y*
- 10.12%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.93%
ZLI.TO
- 1D
- -0.81%
- 1M
- 2.23%
- 6M
- 6.35%
- YTD
- 8.28%
- 1Y
- 10.08%
- 3Y*
- 12.14%
- 5Y*
- 6.29%
- 10Y*
- 5.94%
- ALL TIME*
- 6.50%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA$601.69K | CA$734.63K | CA$1.16M | |
| CA$363.99K | CA$205.20K | CA$196.74K |
VDU.TO vs. ZLI.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VDU.TO Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex U.S. Index ETF | 16.08% | 27.97% | 11.37% | 14.56% | -9.89% | 10.22% | 7.06% | 15.90% | -8.11% | 17.64% |
ZLI.TO BMO Low Volatility International Equity ETF | 8.28% | 13.39% | 11.93% | 9.09% | -9.80% | 6.79% | -0.88% | 9.71% | 4.89% | 13.91% |
Correlation
The correlation between VDU.TO and ZLI.TO is 0.53, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.53 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.57 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.60 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.65 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2015 | 0.64 |
The correlation between VDU.TO and ZLI.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.53 (1 year) to 0.65 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
VDU.TO vs. ZLI.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
VDU.TO
ZLI.TO
Financial Services
Technology
Industrials
Healthcare
Basic Materials
Consumer Cyclical
Consumer Defensive
Energy
Utilities
Communication Services
Real Estate
Financial Services
VDU.TO
ZLI.TO
Technology
VDU.TO
ZLI.TO
Industrials
VDU.TO
ZLI.TO
Healthcare
VDU.TO
ZLI.TO
Basic Materials
VDU.TO
ZLI.TO
Consumer Cyclical
VDU.TO
ZLI.TO
Consumer Defensive
VDU.TO
ZLI.TO
Energy
VDU.TO
ZLI.TO
Utilities
VDU.TO
ZLI.TO
Communication Services
VDU.TO
ZLI.TO
Real Estate
VDU.TO
ZLI.TO
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Return for Risk
VDU.TO vs. ZLI.TO — Risk / Return Rank
VDU.TO
ZLI.TO
VDU.TO vs. ZLI.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex U.S. Index ETF (VDU.TO) and BMO Low Volatility International Equity ETF (ZLI.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.
| VDU.TO | ZLI.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.89 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.17 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.34 | 1.18 | +0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 2.64 | 1.23 | +1.40 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 10.12 | 2.90 | +7.22 |
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Drawdowns
VDU.TO vs. ZLI.TO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VDU.TO drawdown since its inception was -29.19%, which is greater than ZLI.TO's maximum drawdown of -24.66%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDU.TO and ZLI.TO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| VDU.TO | ZLI.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -29.19% | -24.66% | -4.53% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.47% | -8.37% | -3.10% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -14.02% | -8.37% | -5.65% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.11% | -24.66% | +0.55% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -29.19% | -24.66% | -4.53% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -3.53% | -1.10% | -2.43% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.63% | -4.98% | +0.35% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 2.98% | 3.55% | -0.57% |
Volatility
VDU.TO vs. ZLI.TO - Volatility Comparison
Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex U.S. Index ETF (VDU.TO) has a higher volatility of 5.16% compared to BMO Low Volatility International Equity ETF (ZLI.TO) at 3.33%. This indicates that VDU.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ZLI.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| VDU.TO | ZLI.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.16% | 3.33% | +1.83% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.35% | 8.87% | +5.48% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.20% | 10.58% | +5.62% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 13.89% | 10.92% | +2.97% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 14.67% | 12.23% | +2.44% |
VDU.TO vs. ZLI.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison
VDU.TO has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than ZLI.TO's 0.40% expense ratio.
Dividends
VDU.TO vs. ZLI.TO - Dividend Comparison
VDU.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.02%, less than ZLI.TO's 2.09% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VDU.TO Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex U.S. Index ETF | 2.02% | 2.61% | 2.55% | 2.54% | 2.14% | 2.66% | 1.64% | 2.48% | 2.61% | 2.25% | 2.41% | 2.24% |
ZLI.TO BMO Low Volatility International Equity ETF | 2.09% | 2.24% | 2.48% | 2.70% | 2.87% | 2.51% | 2.66% | 2.36% | 2.49% | 2.25% | 2.02% | 0.91% |
Frequently Asked Questions
VDU.TO and ZLI.TO have a correlation of 0.53, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
On fees, VDU.TO is cheaper at 0.22% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
VDU.TO is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.40% for ZLI.TO.
They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.22% for VDU.TO and 0.40% for ZLI.TO.
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