PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
ZLI.TO vs. ZQQ.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

ZLI.TO vs. ZQQ.TO

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about BMO Low Volatility International Equity ETF (ZLI.TO) and BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity (CAD Hedged) (ZQQ.TO).

ZLI.TO and ZQQ.TO are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. ZLI.TO is an actively managed fund by BMO. It was launched on Sep 2, 2015. ZQQ.TO is a passively managed fund by BMO that tracks the performance of the NASDAQ-100 Index. It was launched on Jan 19, 2010.

Performance

ZLI.TO vs. ZQQ.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in BMO Low Volatility International Equity ETF (ZLI.TO) and BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity (CAD Hedged) (ZQQ.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading graphics...

ZLI.TO vs. ZQQ.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
ZLI.TO
BMO Low Volatility International Equity ETF		2.60%12.93%11.92%9.08%-9.81%6.78%-0.89%9.70%4.88%13.87%
ZQQ.TO
BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity (CAD Hedged)		-6.55%18.38%24.00%52.52%-33.75%26.68%45.33%37.08%-2.29%31.51%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZLI.TO achieves a 2.60% return, which is significantly higher than ZQQ.TO's -6.55% return. Over the past 10 years, ZLI.TO has underperformed ZQQ.TO with an annualized return of 5.84%, while ZQQ.TO has yielded a comparatively higher 17.14% annualized return.

ZLI.TO

1D
1.81%
1M
-5.09%
YTD
2.60%
6M
1.49%
1Y
6.89%
3Y*
10.15%
5Y*
6.50%
10Y*
5.84%

ZQQ.TO

1D
3.44%
1M
-5.14%
YTD
-6.55%
6M
-4.71%
1Y
20.77%
3Y*
20.23%
5Y*
11.19%
10Y*
17.14%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

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 International Equity ETF

BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity (CAD Hedged)

Often compared with ZLI.TO:
ZLI.TO vs. ZLB.TOZLI.TO vs. FLVI.NEOZLI.TO vs. TILV.TOZLI.TO vs. XBAL.TOZLI.TO vs. FCIL.NEOZLI.TO vs. VIDY.TOZLI.TO vs. XDSR.TO
Often compared with ZQQ.TO:
ZQQ.TO vs. ZNQ.TOZQQ.TO vs. XQQ.TOZQQ.TO vs. QQC.TOZQQ.TO vs. QQQZQQ.TO vs. VFV.TOZQQ.TO vs. ZSP.TOZQQ.TO vs. TEC.TO

ZLI.TO vs. ZQQ.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZLI.TO has a 0.40% expense ratio, which is higher than ZQQ.TO's 0.39% expense ratio.

ZLI.TO
BMO Low Volatility International Equity ETF
ZQQ.TO
BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity (CAD Hedged)

Return for Risk

ZLI.TO vs. ZQQ.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ZLI.TO
ZLI.TO Risk / Return Rank: 3030
Overall Rank
ZLI.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3131
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ZLI.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 3030
Sortino Ratio Rank
ZLI.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 2929
Omega Ratio Rank
ZLI.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 3131
Calmar Ratio Rank
ZLI.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 2929
Martin Ratio Rank
ZQQ.TO
ZQQ.TO Risk / Return Rank: 6262
Overall Rank
ZQQ.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5757
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ZQQ.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 6161
Sortino Ratio Rank
ZQQ.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 6161
Omega Ratio Rank
ZQQ.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 6868
Calmar Ratio Rank
ZQQ.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.

ZLI.TO vs. ZQQ.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO Low Volatility International Equity ETF (ZLI.TO) and BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity (CAD Hedged) (ZQQ.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.

ZLI.TOZQQ.TODifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.58

0.94

-0.36

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

0.87

1.49

-0.61

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.12

1.21

-0.09

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

0.78

1.62

-0.84

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

2.50

5.71

-3.20

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZLI.TO vs. ZQQ.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZLI.TO Sharpe Ratio is 0.58, which is lower than the ZQQ.TO Sharpe Ratio of 0.94. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZLI.TO and ZQQ.TO, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Loading graphics...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

ZLI.TOZQQ.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.58

0.94

-0.36

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.61

0.50

+0.11

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.47

0.77

-0.30

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.50

0.83

-0.32

Correlation

The correlation between ZLI.TO and ZQQ.TO is 0.38, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Dividends

ZLI.TO vs. ZQQ.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZLI.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.19%, more than ZQQ.TO's 0.28% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
ZLI.TO
BMO Low Volatility International Equity ETF		2.19%2.24%2.47%2.69%2.86%2.50%2.65%2.35%2.48%2.21%2.49%0.91%
ZQQ.TO
BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity (CAD Hedged)		0.28%0.27%0.37%0.32%0.45%0.14%0.41%0.51%0.64%0.57%1.60%0.81%

Drawdowns

ZLI.TO vs. ZQQ.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZLI.TO drawdown since its inception was -24.67%, smaller than the maximum ZQQ.TO drawdown of -36.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZLI.TO and ZQQ.TO.

Loading graphics...

Drawdown Indicators

ZLI.TOZQQ.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-24.67%

-36.39%

+11.72%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-8.37%

-12.86%

+4.49%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.67%

-36.39%

+11.72%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-24.67%

-36.39%

+11.72%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-5.09%

-9.86%

+4.77%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.99%

-5.41%

+0.42%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.60%

3.65%

-1.05%

Volatility

ZLI.TO vs. ZQQ.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BMO Low Volatility International Equity ETF (ZLI.TO) is 5.34%, while BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity (CAD Hedged) (ZQQ.TO) has a volatility of 6.59%. This indicates that ZLI.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ZQQ.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading graphics...

Volatility by Period

ZLI.TOZQQ.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

5.34%

6.59%

-1.25%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

7.59%

12.63%

-5.04%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

11.89%

22.20%

-10.31%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

10.70%

22.59%

-11.89%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

12.39%

22.36%

-9.97%