XMU.TO vs. ZLD.TO
XMU.TO (iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF) and ZLD.TO (BMO Low Volatility International Equity Hedged to CAD ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - XMU.TO is a Low Volatility fund tracking the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility Index, while ZLD.TO is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by BMO. XMU.TO is passively managed, while ZLD.TO is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, XMU.TO returned 8.75%/yr vs 6.46%/yr for ZLD.TO. At a 0.32 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. XMU.TO charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for ZLD.TO.
Performance
XMU.TO vs. ZLD.TO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with XMU.TO having a 6.08% return and ZLD.TO slightly higher at 6.24%. Over the past 10 years, XMU.TO has outperformed ZLD.TO with an annualized return of 8.75%, while ZLD.TO has yielded a comparatively lower 6.46% annualized return.
XMU.TO
- 1D
- 0.78%
- 1M
- 1.26%
- 6M
- 5.67%
- YTD
- 6.08%
- 1Y
- 4.16%
- 3Y*
- 9.90%
- 5Y*
- 6.81%
- 10Y*
- 8.75%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.73%
ZLD.TO
- 1D
- 1.07%
- 1M
- 4.00%
- 6M
- 6.03%
- YTD
- 6.24%
- 1Y
- 6.23%
- 3Y*
- 10.00%
- 5Y*
- 6.55%
- 10Y*
- 6.46%
- ALL TIME*
- 7.25%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA$203.61K | CA$146.99K | CA$731.35K | |
| CA$27.40K | CA$45.76K | CA$88.31K |
XMU.TO vs. ZLD.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XMU.TO iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF | 6.08% | -0.80% | 22.08% | 6.68% | -3.58% | 17.10% | 3.13% | 20.92% | 9.19% | 10.94% |
ZLD.TO BMO Low Volatility International Equity Hedged to CAD ETF | 6.24% | 9.63% | 11.11% | 11.37% | -6.68% | 12.56% | -5.85% | 17.60% | 0.60% | 12.86% |
Correlation
The correlation between XMU.TO and ZLD.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 | 0.31 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.28 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 10, 2016 | 0.32 |
The correlation between XMU.TO and ZLD.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.28 (5 years) to 0.41 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
XMU.TO vs. ZLD.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison
Sectors
XMU.TO
ZLD.TO
Technology
Healthcare
Financial Services
Consumer Defensive
Utilities
Industrials
Consumer Cyclical
Communication Services
Energy
Real Estate
Basic Materials
Technology
XMU.TO
ZLD.TO
Healthcare
XMU.TO
ZLD.TO
Financial Services
XMU.TO
ZLD.TO
Consumer Defensive
XMU.TO
ZLD.TO
Utilities
XMU.TO
ZLD.TO
Industrials
XMU.TO
ZLD.TO
Consumer Cyclical
XMU.TO
ZLD.TO
Communication Services
XMU.TO
ZLD.TO
Energy
XMU.TO
ZLD.TO
Real Estate
XMU.TO
ZLD.TO
Basic Materials
XMU.TO
ZLD.TO
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Return for Risk
XMU.TO vs. ZLD.TO — Risk / Return Rank
XMU.TO
ZLD.TO
XMU.TO vs. ZLD.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF (XMU.TO) and BMO Low Volatility International Equity Hedged to CAD ETF (ZLD.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.
| XMU.TO | ZLD.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.33 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.46 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.08 | 1.13 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.49 | 0.88 | -0.39 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 1.01 | 1.88 | -0.87 |
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Drawdowns
XMU.TO vs. ZLD.TO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum XMU.TO drawdown since its inception was -27.31%, smaller than the maximum ZLD.TO drawdown of -28.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XMU.TO and ZLD.TO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| XMU.TO | ZLD.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -27.31% | -28.97% | +1.66% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -8.45% | -7.09% | -1.36% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -10.97% | -7.47% | -3.50% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.59% | -15.02% | -5.57% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -27.31% | -28.97% | +1.66% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.39% | -1.32% | -1.07% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -4.53% | -3.68% | -0.85% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.14% | 3.32% | +0.82% |
Volatility
XMU.TO vs. ZLD.TO - Volatility Comparison
iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF (XMU.TO) has a higher volatility of 3.73% compared to BMO Low Volatility International Equity Hedged to CAD ETF (ZLD.TO) at 2.32%. This indicates that XMU.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ZLD.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| XMU.TO | ZLD.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 3.73% | 2.32% | +1.41% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 6.65% | 6.50% | +0.15% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 10.45% | 8.50% | +1.95% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 14.70% | 9.99% | +4.71% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 17.08% | 12.81% | +4.27% |
XMU.TO vs. ZLD.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison
XMU.TO has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is lower than ZLD.TO's 0.45% expense ratio.
Dividends
XMU.TO vs. ZLD.TO - Dividend Comparison
XMU.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.14%, less than ZLD.TO's 2.18% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XMU.TO iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF | 1.14% | 1.13% | 1.19% | 1.41% | 1.17% | 1.09% | 1.72% | 1.47% | 1.51% | 1.63% | 1.87% | 1.46% |
ZLD.TO BMO Low Volatility International Equity Hedged to CAD ETF | 2.18% | 2.29% | 2.45% | 2.66% | 2.62% | 2.31% | 2.62% | 2.17% | 2.36% | 2.23% | 1.96% | 0.00% |
Frequently Asked Questions
XMU.TO and ZLD.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.
On fees, XMU.TO is cheaper at 0.33% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
XMU.TO is cheaper with a 0.33% expense ratio, compared with 0.45% for ZLD.TO.
XMU.TO is categorized as Low Volatility, while ZLD.TO is Foreign Large Cap Equities. They also come from different issuers: iShares and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.33% for XMU.TO and 0.45% for ZLD.TO.
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