ZLB.TO vs. DMEC.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZLB.TO (BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF) and DMEC.TO (Desjardins Canadian Equity Index ETF) are both Canada Equities funds. ZLB.TO is actively managed, while DMEC.TO is passively managed. Over the past year, ZLB.TO returned 14.81% vs 34.96% for DMEC.TO. A 0.61 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ZLB.TO charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for DMEC.TO.

Performance

ZLB.TO vs. DMEC.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 Desjardins Canadian Equity Index ETF (DMEC.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZLB.TO achieves a 3.14% return, which is significantly lower than DMEC.TO's 10.72% return.

ZLB.TO

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 1.40%
• YTD: 3.14%
• 6M: 4.82%
• 1Y: 14.81%
• 3Y*: 15.17%
• 5Y*: 11.61%
• 10Y*: 10.67%

DMEC.TO

• 1D: -1.07%
• 1M: 3.70%
• YTD: 10.72%
• 6M: 13.13%
• 1Y: 34.96%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

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

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
ZLB.TO BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF	3.14%	25.29%	13.62%
DMEC.TO Desjardins Canadian Equity Index ETF	10.72%	31.87%	16.56%

Correlation

The correlation between ZLB.TO and DMEC.TO is 0.62, 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	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 19, 2024	0.61

The correlation between ZLB.TO and DMEC.TO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.61 to 0.62 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZLB.TO vs. DMEC.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: 54
ZLB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
ZLB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
ZLB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 51
ZLB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
ZLB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 58

DMEC.TO

DMEC.TO Risk / Return Rank: 82
DMEC.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
DMEC.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
DMEC.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 84
DMEC.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
DMEC.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 84

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. DMEC.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 Desjardins Canadian Equity Index ETF (DMEC.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.

	ZLB.TO	DMEC.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.80	2.80	-1.00
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.69	3.59	-0.90
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.51	-0.18
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.77	3.73	-0.96
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.29	17.20	-6.92
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

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

The current ZLB.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is lower than the DMEC.TO Sharpe Ratio of 2.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZLB.TO and DMEC.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

	ZLB.TO	DMEC.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.80	2.80	-1.00
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.24	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.14	2.21	-1.07

Drawdowns

ZLB.TO vs. DMEC.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZLB.TO drawdown since its inception was -33.96%, which is greater than DMEC.TO's maximum drawdown of -12.15%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZLB.TO and DMEC.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZLB.TO	DMEC.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.96%	-12.15%	-21.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.36%	-9.41%	+4.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-8.01%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.00%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-33.96%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.70%	-1.07%	-0.63%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.46%	-1.42%	-1.04%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.45%	2.04%	-0.59%

Volatility

ZLB.TO vs. DMEC.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (ZLB.TO) is 2.47%, while Desjardins Canadian Equity Index ETF (DMEC.TO) has a volatility of 3.42%. This indicates that ZLB.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DMEC.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZLB.TO	DMEC.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.47%	3.42%	-0.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.38%	10.28%	-3.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.29%	12.56%	-4.27%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	9.44%	12.97%	-3.53%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.15%	12.97%	-0.82%

ZLB.TO vs. DMEC.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZLB.TO has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than DMEC.TO's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZLB.TO vs. DMEC.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZLB.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.88%, less than DMEC.TO's 1.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DMEC.TO Desjardins Canadian Equity Index ETF	1.91%	1.78%	1.39%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ZLB.TO BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF	1.88%	1.93%	2.37%	2.67%	2.66%	2.39%	2.83%	2.44%	2.76%	2.52%	2.94%	2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZLB.TO and DMEC.TO in my portfolio?

ZLB.TO and DMEC.TO have a correlation of 0.62, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ZLB.TO or DMEC.TO?

On fees, DMEC.TO is cheaper at 0.05% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZLB.TO or DMEC.TO?

DMEC.TO is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for ZLB.TO.

What is the main difference between ZLB.TO and DMEC.TO?

They also come from different issuers: BMO and Desjardins. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for ZLB.TO and 0.05% for DMEC.TO.