ZLU.TO vs. ZEQL.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZLU.TO (BMO Low Volatility US Equity ETF (CAD)) and ZEQL.TO (BMO MSCI USA Equal Weight Index ETF (CAD Units)) are both Large Cap Blend Equities funds from BMO. ZLU.TO is actively managed, while ZEQL.TO is passively managed. At a 0.50 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ZLU.TO charges 0.33%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for ZEQL.TO.

Performance

ZLU.TO vs. ZEQL.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 BMO MSCI USA Equal Weight Index ETF (CAD Units) (ZEQL.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

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%

ZEQL.TO

• 1D: -0.12%
• 1M: 6.20%
• YTD: —
• 6M: —
• 1Y: —
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

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

	2026 (YTD)
ZLU.TO BMO Low Volatility US Equity ETF (CAD)	2.96%
ZEQL.TO BMO MSCI USA Equal Weight Index ETF (CAD Units)	7.44%

Correlation

The correlation between ZLU.TO and ZEQL.TO is 0.50, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 10, 2026	0.50

Return for Risk

ZLU.TO vs. ZEQL.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: 26
ZLU.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 26
ZLU.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
ZLU.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 25
ZLU.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 27
ZLU.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 25

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. ZEQL.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 BMO MSCI USA Equal Weight Index ETF (CAD Units) (ZEQL.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.TO	ZEQL.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.96	—	—
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.31	—	—
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	—	—
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.33	—	—
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.38	—	—
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ZLU.TO	ZEQL.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.96	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.97	2.01	-1.03

Drawdowns

ZLU.TO vs. ZEQL.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZLU.TO drawdown since its inception was -25.49%, which is greater than ZEQL.TO's maximum drawdown of -6.12%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZLU.TO and ZEQL.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZLU.TO	ZEQL.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-25.49%	-6.12%	-19.37%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.53%	—	—
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.17%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-10.40%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-25.49%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.03%	-0.58%	-1.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.11%	-1.69%	-1.42%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.97%	—	—

Volatility

Volatility by Period

	ZLU.TO	ZEQL.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.85%	—	—
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.51%	—	—
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.46%	12.92%	-2.46%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.34%	12.92%	-1.58%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	13.91%	12.92%	+0.99%

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

ZLU.TO has a 0.33% expense ratio, which is higher than ZEQL.TO's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZLU.TO vs. ZEQL.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZLU.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.73%, more than ZEQL.TO's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ZEQL.TO BMO MSCI USA Equal Weight Index ETF (CAD Units)	0.37%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	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

Can I hold both ZLU.TO and ZEQL.TO in my portfolio?

ZLU.TO and ZEQL.TO have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ZLU.TO or ZEQL.TO?

On fees, ZEQL.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, ZLU.TO or ZEQL.TO?

ZEQL.TO is cheaper with a 0.05% expense ratio, compared with 0.33% for ZLU.TO.

What is the main difference between ZLU.TO and ZEQL.TO?

Their fees differ too: 0.33% for ZLU.TO and 0.05% for ZEQL.TO.