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XESG.TO vs. ZGQ.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

Performance

XESG.TO vs. ZGQ.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in iShares ESG Aware MSCI Canada Index ETF (XESG.TO) and BMO MSCI All Country World High Quality Index ETF (ZGQ.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XESG.TO achieves a 10.34% return, which is significantly lower than ZGQ.TO's 13.23% return.


XESG.TO

1D
-0.94%
1M
3.12%
YTD
10.34%
6M
9.25%
1Y
29.31%
3Y*
20.90%
5Y*
12.42%
10Y*

ZGQ.TO

1D
-0.05%
1M
6.84%
YTD
13.23%
6M
8.19%
1Y
25.52%
3Y*
20.50%
5Y*
13.96%
10Y*
15.07%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

XESG.TO vs. ZGQ.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison


2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
XESG.TO
iShares ESG Aware MSCI Canada Index ETF
10.34%26.25%20.05%10.13%-7.77%22.91%4.80%15.28%
ZGQ.TO
BMO MSCI All Country World High Quality Index ETF
13.23%8.04%29.47%29.38%-18.76%21.44%22.41%14.76%

Correlation

The correlation between XESG.TO and ZGQ.TO is 0.60, 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

0.60

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.57

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.58

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 25, 2019

0.56

The correlation between XESG.TO and ZGQ.TO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.56 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.

XESG.TO vs. ZGQ.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison


Sectors
XESG.TO
ZGQ.TO

Financial Services

38.5%
7.5%

Energy

19.3%
0.4%

Basic Materials

17.9%
2.2%

Industrials

8.9%
11.2%

Technology

8.3%
38.4%

Utilities

2.7%
0.2%

Consumer Cyclical

2.2%
4.0%

Consumer Defensive

1.9%
9.3%

Real Estate

0.2%
0.3%

Communication Services

0.1%
13.3%

Healthcare

0.1%
13.4%

Financial Services

XESG.TO
38.5%
ZGQ.TO
7.5%

Energy

XESG.TO
19.3%
ZGQ.TO
0.4%

Basic Materials

XESG.TO
17.9%
ZGQ.TO
2.2%

Industrials

XESG.TO
8.9%
ZGQ.TO
11.2%

Technology

XESG.TO
8.3%
ZGQ.TO
38.4%

Utilities

XESG.TO
2.7%
ZGQ.TO
0.2%

Consumer Cyclical

XESG.TO
2.2%
ZGQ.TO
4.0%

Consumer Defensive

XESG.TO
1.9%
ZGQ.TO
9.3%

Real Estate

XESG.TO
0.2%
ZGQ.TO
0.3%

Communication Services

XESG.TO
0.1%
ZGQ.TO
13.3%

Healthcare

XESG.TO
0.1%
ZGQ.TO
13.4%

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Return for Risk

XESG.TO vs. ZGQ.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

XESG.TO
XESG.TO Risk / Return Rank: 6666
Overall Rank
XESG.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6767
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XESG.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
XESG.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 6868
Omega Ratio Rank
XESG.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 6363
Calmar Ratio Rank
XESG.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 7474
Martin Ratio Rank

ZGQ.TO
ZGQ.TO Risk / Return Rank: 5555
Overall Rank
ZGQ.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5252
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ZGQ.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 5252
Sortino Ratio Rank
ZGQ.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 5555
Omega Ratio Rank
ZGQ.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5555
Calmar Ratio Rank
ZGQ.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 6262
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

XESG.TO vs. ZGQ.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware MSCI Canada Index ETF (XESG.TO) and BMO MSCI All Country World High Quality Index ETF (ZGQ.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.


XESG.TOZGQ.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility

+0.41

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk

+0.29

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.41

1.34

+0.07

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.17

2.78

+0.39

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

14.11

11.30

+2.81

XESG.TO vs. ZGQ.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XESG.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.24, which is comparable to the ZGQ.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.83. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XESG.TO and ZGQ.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.


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Sharpe Ratios by Period


XESG.TOZGQ.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.24

1.83

+0.41

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.92

0.89

+0.03

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.94

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.82

0.93

-0.11

Drawdowns

XESG.TO vs. ZGQ.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XESG.TO drawdown since its inception was -37.36%, which is greater than ZGQ.TO's maximum drawdown of -26.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XESG.TO and ZGQ.TO.


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Drawdown Indicators


XESG.TOZGQ.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-37.36%

-26.68%

-10.68%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.28%

-9.22%

-0.06%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-14.18%

-18.36%

+4.18%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-17.91%

-26.68%

+8.77%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-26.68%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.94%

-1.17%

+0.23%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.55%

-4.49%

-0.06%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.08%

2.27%

-0.19%

Volatility

XESG.TO vs. ZGQ.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for iShares ESG Aware MSCI Canada Index ETF (XESG.TO) is 3.37%, while BMO MSCI All Country World High Quality Index ETF (ZGQ.TO) has a volatility of 4.57%. This indicates that XESG.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ZGQ.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.


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Volatility by Period


XESG.TOZGQ.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

3.37%

4.57%

-1.20%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

10.94%

11.49%

-0.55%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

13.15%

14.04%

-0.89%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

13.62%

15.83%

-2.21%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

16.83%

16.15%

+0.68%

XESG.TO vs. ZGQ.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

XESG.TO has a 0.16% expense ratio, which is lower than ZGQ.TO's 0.50% expense ratio.


Dividends

XESG.TO vs. ZGQ.TO - Dividend Comparison

XESG.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.96%, more than ZGQ.TO's 0.49% yield.


PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
XESG.TO
iShares ESG Aware MSCI Canada Index ETF
1.96%2.13%2.45%2.74%2.63%1.88%2.15%1.05%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
ZGQ.TO
BMO MSCI All Country World High Quality Index ETF
0.49%0.60%0.90%1.33%1.34%0.86%0.99%1.10%1.51%1.09%1.35%1.03%

Frequently Asked Questions


XESG.TO and ZGQ.TO have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, XESG.TO is cheaper at 0.16% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

XESG.TO is cheaper with a 0.16% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for ZGQ.TO.

XESG.TO is categorized as Canada Equities, while ZGQ.TO is Global Equities. XESG.TO tracks Morningstar Canada GR CAD, while ZGQ.TO tracks MSCI All Country World High Quality Index. They also come from different issuers: iShares and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.16% for XESG.TO and 0.50% for ZGQ.TO.

Portfolio Optimizer

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