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ZLB.TO vs. CNQ.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ZLB.TO vs. CNQ.TO

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

ZLB.TO (BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF) is Canada Equities fund actively managed by BMO, while CNQ.TO (Canadian Natural Resources Limited) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, ZLB.TO returned 10.66%/yr vs 23.43%/yr for CNQ.TO. At a 0.27 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ZLB.TO vs. CNQ.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (ZLB.TO) and Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ.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, ZLB.TO achieves a 5.69% return, which is significantly lower than CNQ.TO's 37.61% return. Over the past 10 years, ZLB.TO has underperformed CNQ.TO with an annualized return of 10.66%, while CNQ.TO has yielded a comparatively higher 23.43% annualized return.

ZLB.TO

1D
0.11%
1M
3.64%
YTD
5.69%
6M
2.84%
1Y
13.46%
3Y*
15.21%
5Y*
11.24%
10Y*
10.66%

CNQ.TO

1D
-0.19%
1M
-2.91%
YTD
37.61%
6M
40.79%
1Y
43.07%
3Y*
27.02%
5Y*
33.86%
10Y*
23.43%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ZLB.TO vs. CNQ.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
ZLB.TO
BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF		5.69%20.40%15.31%9.41%-0.35%22.93%1.51%21.92%-2.76%11.11%
CNQ.TO
Canadian Natural Resources Limited		37.61%10.42%8.27%26.98%63.10%91.26%-12.94%38.84%-21.36%10.89%

Correlation

The correlation between ZLB.TO and CNQ.TO is -0.16, meaning they tend to move in opposite directions. This is especially valuable for risk management - when one declines, the other has historically tended to hold steady or rise.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

-0.16

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

0.06

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

0.16

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.22

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 27, 2011

0.27

The correlation between ZLB.TO and CNQ.TO shifts across timeframes, from -0.16 (1 year) to 0.27 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF

Canadian Natural Resources Limited

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ZLB.TO vs. VDY.TOZLB.TO vs. XIU.TOZLB.TO vs. XDIV.TOZLB.TO vs. XMW.TOZLB.TO vs. XBAL.TOZLB.TO vs. XUT.TOZLB.TO vs. XEG.TO
Often compared with CNQ.TO:
CNQ.TO vs. ENB.TOCNQ.TO vs. SU.TOCNQ.TO vs. TOU.TOCNQ.TO vs. WCP.TOCNQ.TO vs. ARX.TOCNQ.TO vs. XEG.TOCNQ.TO vs. PPL.TO

Return for Risk

ZLB.TO vs. CNQ.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ZLB.TO
ZLB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 4848
Overall Rank
ZLB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4747
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ZLB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 4343
Sortino Ratio Rank
ZLB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
ZLB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5252
Calmar Ratio Rank
ZLB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 4848
Martin Ratio Rank
CNQ.TO
CNQ.TO Risk / Return Rank: 8383
Overall Rank
CNQ.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8585
Sharpe Ratio Rank
CNQ.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 7979
Sortino Ratio Rank
CNQ.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 7979
Omega Ratio Rank
CNQ.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 8585
Calmar Ratio Rank
CNQ.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 8585
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.

ZLB.TO vs. CNQ.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (ZLB.TO) and Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ.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.

ZLB.TOCNQ.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.44
1.65

-0.21

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.96
2.12

-0.16

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.27

1.28

-0.01

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.34

3.12

-0.78

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

6.85

7.98

-1.14

ZLB.TO vs. CNQ.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZLB.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is comparable to the CNQ.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZLB.TO and CNQ.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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Drawdowns

ZLB.TO vs. CNQ.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZLB.TO drawdown since its inception was -33.96%, smaller than the maximum CNQ.TO drawdown of -74.63%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZLB.TO and CNQ.TO.

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Drawdown Indicators

ZLB.TOCNQ.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-33.96%

-74.63%

+40.67%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-5.67%

-15.33%

+9.66%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-8.01%

-33.12%

+25.11%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-13.00%

-33.12%

+20.12%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.96%

-74.63%

+40.67%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

0.00%

-8.72%

+8.72%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-2.49%

-17.63%

+15.14%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.93%

5.98%

-4.05%

Volatility

ZLB.TO vs. CNQ.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (ZLB.TO) is 2.63%, while Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ.TO) has a volatility of 8.91%. This indicates that ZLB.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than CNQ.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ZLB.TOCNQ.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.63%

8.91%

-6.28%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

7.60%

24.23%

-16.63%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

9.26%

28.98%

-19.72%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

9.62%

30.61%

-20.99%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

12.22%

38.12%

-25.90%

Dividends

ZLB.TO vs. CNQ.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZLB.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.88%, less than CNQ.TO's 3.77% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
CNQ.TO
Canadian Natural Resources Limited		2.84%5.05%6.00%8.53%12.23%7.63%11.35%7.29%8.31%5.00%4.49%6.22%
ZLB.TO
BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF		1.88%1.99%2.37%2.67%2.66%2.39%2.83%2.44%2.76%2.55%2.94%2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

ZLB.TO and CNQ.TO have a correlation of -0.16, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

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