PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
ZLU.TO vs. XMS.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ZLU.TO vs. XMS.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZLU.TO (BMO Low Volatility US Equity ETF (CAD)) and XMS.TO (iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds. ZLU.TO is actively managed, while XMS.TO is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ZLU.TO returned 9.43%/yr vs 7.82%/yr for XMS.TO. At a 0.43 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.33% expense ratio.

Performance

ZLU.TO vs. XMS.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in BMO Low Volatility US Equity ETF (CAD) (ZLU.TO) and iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XMS.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading charts...

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZLU.TO achieves a 9.40% return, which is significantly higher than XMS.TO's 1.17% return. Over the past 10 years, ZLU.TO has outperformed XMS.TO with an annualized return of 9.43%, while XMS.TO has yielded a comparatively lower 7.82% annualized return.

ZLU.TO

1D
-0.14%
1M
4.18%
YTD
9.40%
6M
3.31%
1Y
9.98%
3Y*
10.83%
5Y*
10.19%
10Y*
9.43%

XMS.TO

1D
-0.36%
1M
1.94%
YTD
1.17%
6M
-0.55%
1Y
0.08%
3Y*
8.89%
5Y*
5.12%
10Y*
7.82%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ZLU.TO vs. XMS.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
ZLU.TO
BMO Low Volatility US Equity ETF (CAD)		9.40%1.95%21.52%-3.36%7.85%20.62%1.98%20.39%8.31%4.98%
XMS.TO
iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)		1.17%3.71%14.23%7.84%-11.15%21.02%1.81%26.70%-1.63%16.85%

Correlation

The correlation between ZLU.TO and XMS.TO is 0.42, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.42

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

0.49

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

0.44

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

0.44

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 12, 2016

0.43

ZLU.TO vs. XMS.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ZLU.TO
XMS.TO

Utilities

20.5%
7.5%

Technology

19.0%
29.8%

Healthcare

17.7%
12.7%

Consumer Defensive

12.5%
9.9%

Financial Services

11.4%
14.0%

Industrials

6.4%
6.2%

Real Estate

3.3%
2.2%

Consumer Cyclical

3.2%
6.2%

Communication Services

2.9%
5.9%

Basic Materials

2.5%
2.1%

Energy

0.6%
3.5%

Utilities

ZLU.TO
20.5%
XMS.TO
7.5%

Technology

ZLU.TO
19.0%
XMS.TO
29.8%

Healthcare

ZLU.TO
17.7%
XMS.TO
12.7%

Consumer Defensive

ZLU.TO
12.5%
XMS.TO
9.9%

Financial Services

ZLU.TO
11.4%
XMS.TO
14.0%

Industrials

ZLU.TO
6.4%
XMS.TO
6.2%

Real Estate

ZLU.TO
3.3%
XMS.TO
2.2%

Consumer Cyclical

ZLU.TO
3.2%
XMS.TO
6.2%

Communication Services

ZLU.TO
2.9%
XMS.TO
5.9%

Basic Materials

ZLU.TO
2.5%
XMS.TO
2.1%

Energy

ZLU.TO
0.6%
XMS.TO
3.5%

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 US Equity ETF (CAD)

iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)

Often compared with ZLU.TO:
ZLU.TO vs. ZSP.TOZLU.TO vs. XMU.TOZLU.TO vs. ZDY.TOZLU.TO vs. ZID.TOZLU.TO vs. XEQT.TOZLU.TO vs. XBAL.TOZLU.TO vs. SPLV
Often compared with XMS.TO:
XMS.TO vs. XMU.TOXMS.TO vs. VFV.TOXMS.TO vs. XDU.TOXMS.TO vs. VSP.TOXMS.TO vs. XUS.TOXMS.TO vs. SPYXMS.TO vs. ZSP.TO

Return for Risk

ZLU.TO vs. XMS.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ZLU.TO
ZLU.TO Risk / Return Rank: 2626
Overall Rank
ZLU.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2626
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ZLU.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 2424
Sortino Ratio Rank
ZLU.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 2525
Omega Ratio Rank
ZLU.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 2727
Calmar Ratio Rank
ZLU.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 2525
Martin Ratio Rank
XMS.TO
XMS.TO Risk / Return Rank: 99
Overall Rank
XMS.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XMS.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
Sortino Ratio Rank
XMS.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 88
Omega Ratio Rank
XMS.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
Calmar Ratio Rank
XMS.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 99
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.

ZLU.TO vs. XMS.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO Low Volatility US Equity ETF (CAD) (ZLU.TO) and iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XMS.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.

ZLU.TOXMS.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.96
0.01

+0.95

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.31
0.07

+1.24

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.17

1.01

+0.17

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.33

0.01

+1.32

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

3.38

0.03

+3.35

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

ZLU.TO vs. XMS.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZLU.TO Sharpe Ratio is 0.96, which is higher than the XMS.TO Sharpe Ratio of 0.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZLU.TO and XMS.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.

Loading charts...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

ZLU.TOXMS.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.96

0.01

+0.95

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.90

0.43

+0.48

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.68

0.53

+0.15

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.97

0.54

+0.43

Drawdowns

ZLU.TO vs. XMS.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZLU.TO drawdown since its inception was -25.49%, smaller than the maximum XMS.TO drawdown of -36.48%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZLU.TO and XMS.TO.

Loading charts...

Drawdown Indicators

ZLU.TOXMS.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-25.49%

-36.48%

+10.99%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.53%

-6.91%

-0.62%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-9.17%

-9.82%

+0.65%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-10.40%

-19.23%

+8.83%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-25.49%

-36.48%

+10.99%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.03%

-1.73%

-0.30%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.11%

-4.26%

+1.15%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.97%

2.54%

+0.43%

Volatility

ZLU.TO vs. XMS.TO - Volatility Comparison

BMO Low Volatility US Equity ETF (CAD) (ZLU.TO) has a higher volatility of 2.85% compared to iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XMS.TO) at 2.35%. This indicates that ZLU.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XMS.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading charts...

Volatility by Period

ZLU.TOXMS.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.85%

2.35%

+0.50%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.51%

6.14%

+2.37%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

10.46%

8.75%

+1.71%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

11.34%

12.11%

-0.77%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

13.91%

14.74%

-0.83%

ZLU.TO vs. XMS.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ZLU.TO and XMS.TO have an expense ratio of 0.33%.

Dividends

ZLU.TO vs. XMS.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZLU.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.73%, more than XMS.TO's 1.18% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
XMS.TO
iShares MSCI Min Vol USA Index ETF (CAD-Hedged)		1.18%1.08%1.21%1.38%1.20%0.99%1.66%1.40%1.54%1.53%1.43%0.00%
ZLU.TO
BMO Low Volatility US Equity ETF (CAD)		1.73%1.89%1.89%2.29%1.87%1.69%1.75%1.51%1.81%1.91%2.26%1.73%

Frequently Asked Questions

ZLU.TO and XMS.TO have a correlation of 0.42, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Both ETFs have the same 0.33% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

ZLU.TO and XMS.TO have the same expense ratio: 0.33% per year.

They also come from different issuers: BMO and iShares.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for ZLU.TO and XMS.TO

Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.

Open Portfolio Optimizer