ZEA.TO vs. VIU.TO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ZEA.TO (BMO MSCI EAFE Index ETF) and VIU.TO (Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North America Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ZEA.TO is a Global Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE Index, while VIU.TO is a International Equity fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex North America Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ZEA.TO returned 9.90%/yr vs 10.42%/yr for VIU.TO. Their correlation of 0.91 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ZEA.TO charges 0.22%/yr vs 0.23%/yr for VIU.TO.

Performance

ZEA.TO vs. VIU.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in BMO MSCI EAFE Index ETF (ZEA.TO) and Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North America Index ETF (VIU.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZEA.TO achieves a 10.79% return, which is significantly lower than VIU.TO's 17.08% return. Over the past 10 years, ZEA.TO has underperformed VIU.TO with an annualized return of 9.90%, while VIU.TO has yielded a comparatively higher 10.42% annualized return.

ZEA.TO

• 1D: 0.72%
• 1M: 4.84%
• YTD: 10.79%
• 6M: 10.55%
• 1Y: 22.50%
• 3Y*: 17.95%
• 5Y*: 11.18%
• 10Y*: 9.90%

VIU.TO

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: 6.34%
• YTD: 17.08%
• 6M: 17.65%
• 1Y: 33.04%
• 3Y*: 20.64%
• 5Y*: 12.06%
• 10Y*: 10.42%

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

ZEA.TO vs. VIU.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ZEA.TO BMO MSCI EAFE Index ETF	10.79%	24.28%	11.56%	16.02%	-8.51%	10.64%	5.13%	16.71%	-6.24%	16.77%
VIU.TO Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North America Index ETF	17.08%	27.83%	10.72%	15.66%	-10.63%	9.74%	7.56%	15.30%	-7.39%	19.22%

Correlation

The correlation between ZEA.TO and VIU.TO is 0.96 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.95
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.94
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 9, 2015	0.91

The correlation between ZEA.TO and VIU.TO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.96 - a consistent structural relationship.

ZEA.TO vs. VIU.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ZEA.TO	VIU.TO
Financial Services	24.4%	25.6%
Industrials	20.0%	17.1%
Healthcare	10.5%	10.7%
Technology	10.5%	18.4%
Consumer Cyclical	7.6%	6.0%
Consumer Defensive	6.8%	6.1%
Basic Materials	6.0%	4.7%
Communication Services	4.6%	3.1%
Energy	3.9%	4.1%
Utilities	3.9%	2.9%
Real Estate	1.9%	0.6%

Return for Risk

ZEA.TO vs. VIU.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZEA.TO

ZEA.TO Risk / Return Rank: 47
ZEA.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 48
ZEA.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
ZEA.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 49
ZEA.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 43
ZEA.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 49

VIU.TO

VIU.TO Risk / Return Rank: 65
VIU.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
VIU.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 66
VIU.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VIU.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 58
VIU.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 64

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.

ZEA.TO vs. VIU.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO MSCI EAFE Index ETF (ZEA.TO) and Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North America Index ETF (VIU.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.

	ZEA.TO	VIU.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.62	2.17	-0.55
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.32	3.01	-0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.30	1.41	-0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.07	2.83	-0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.07	11.39	-3.32
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZEA.TO vs. VIU.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZEA.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.62, which is comparable to the VIU.TO Sharpe Ratio of 2.17. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZEA.TO and VIU.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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ZEA.TO	VIU.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.62	2.17	-0.55
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.83	0.87	-0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.67	0.69	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.60	0.62	-0.03

Drawdowns

ZEA.TO vs. VIU.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZEA.TO drawdown since its inception was -27.80%, roughly equal to the maximum VIU.TO drawdown of -29.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZEA.TO and VIU.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZEA.TO	VIU.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-27.80%	-29.15%	+1.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.91%	-11.74%	+0.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-14.11%	-14.26%	+0.15%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-23.67%	-25.35%	+1.68%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.80%	-29.15%	+1.35%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.43%	-0.14%	-1.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.63%	-5.34%	+0.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.79%	2.91%	-0.12%

Volatility

ZEA.TO vs. VIU.TO - Volatility Comparison

BMO MSCI EAFE Index ETF (ZEA.TO) and Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North America Index ETF (VIU.TO) have volatilities of 5.56% and 5.63%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZEA.TO	VIU.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.56%	5.63%	-0.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.70%	13.08%	-1.38%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.93%	15.29%	-1.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	13.51%	13.89%	-0.38%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.92%	15.12%	-0.20%

ZEA.TO vs. VIU.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZEA.TO has a 0.22% expense ratio, which is lower than VIU.TO's 0.23% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ZEA.TO vs. VIU.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZEA.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.92%, less than VIU.TO's 2.16% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VIU.TO Vanguard FTSE Developed All Cap ex North America Index ETF	2.16%	2.48%	2.55%	2.65%	2.75%	2.37%	1.97%	2.67%	2.75%	2.12%	1.71%	0.27%
ZEA.TO BMO MSCI EAFE Index ETF	1.92%	2.17%	2.77%	3.00%	3.06%	2.48%	2.72%	2.93%	3.03%	2.39%	2.78%	2.42%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZEA.TO and VIU.TO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.96, ZEA.TO and VIU.TO move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, ZEA.TO or VIU.TO?

On fees, ZEA.TO is cheaper at 0.22% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZEA.TO or VIU.TO?

ZEA.TO is cheaper with a 0.22% expense ratio, compared with 0.23% for VIU.TO.

What is the main difference between ZEA.TO and VIU.TO?

ZEA.TO is categorized as Global Equities, while VIU.TO is International Equity. ZEA.TO tracks MSCI EAFE Index, while VIU.TO tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex North America Index. They also come from different issuers: BMO and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.22% for ZEA.TO and 0.23% for VIU.TO.