ZPH.TO vs. SMAX.TO

Last updated Jul 17, 2026

ZPH.TO (BMO US Put Write Hedged to CAD ETF) and SMAX.TO (Hamilton U.S. Equity YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF) are both Derivative Income funds. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, ZPH.TO returned 8.71% vs 31.84% for SMAX.TO. A 0.51 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.65% expense ratio.

Performance

ZPH.TO vs. SMAX.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in BMO US Put Write Hedged to CAD ETF (ZPH.TO) and Hamilton U.S. Equity YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF (SMAX.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZPH.TO achieves a 2.64% return, which is significantly lower than SMAX.TO's 16.31% return.

ZPH.TO

• 1D: 0.29%
• 1M: 1.47%
• 6M: 3.15%
• YTD: 2.64%
• 1Y: 8.71%
• 3Y*: 7.98%
• 5Y*: 5.84%
• 10Y*: —

SMAX.TO

• 1D: -0.88%
• 1M: -0.23%
• 6M: 13.97%
• YTD: 16.31%
• 1Y: 31.84%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ZPH.TO vs. SMAX.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
ZPH.TO BMO US Put Write Hedged to CAD ETF	2.64%	9.47%	4.21%	9.17%
SMAX.TO Hamilton U.S. Equity YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF	16.31%	13.56%	34.57%	6.14%

Correlation

The correlation between ZPH.TO and SMAX.TO is 0.49, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.49
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 26, 2023	0.51

The correlation between ZPH.TO and SMAX.TO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.49 to 0.51 - a consistent structural relationship.

ZPH.TO vs. SMAX.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ZPH.TO	SMAX.TO
Technology	42.2%	38.4%
Financial Services	17.2%	10.5%
Healthcare	17.1%	7.4%
Consumer Defensive	8.3%	3.3%
Industrials	6.8%	7.8%
Communication Services	5.7%	10.8%
Consumer Cyclical	2.7%	8.3%
Basic Materials	-	3.5%
Energy	-	3.1%
Real Estate	-	3.7%
Utilities	-	3.3%

Return for Risk

ZPH.TO vs. SMAX.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

ZPH.TO

ZPH.TO Risk / Return Rank: 44
ZPH.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 46
ZPH.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 48
ZPH.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 47
ZPH.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
ZPH.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 42

SMAX.TO

SMAX.TO Risk / Return Rank: 90
SMAX.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
SMAX.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
SMAX.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 90
SMAX.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
SMAX.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 88

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.

ZPH.TO vs. SMAX.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO US Put Write Hedged to CAD ETF (ZPH.TO) and Hamilton U.S. Equity YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF (SMAX.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.

	ZPH.TO	SMAX.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.34	2.44	-1.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.95	3.46	-1.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.46	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.44	4.36	-2.92
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.44	14.77	-9.33

ZPH.TO vs. SMAX.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZPH.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.34, which is lower than the SMAX.TO Sharpe Ratio of 2.44. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZPH.TO and SMAX.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.

Drawdowns

ZPH.TO vs. SMAX.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZPH.TO drawdown since its inception was -33.38%, which is greater than SMAX.TO's maximum drawdown of -18.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZPH.TO and SMAX.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZPH.TO	SMAX.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.38%	-18.88%	-14.50%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.07%	-7.33%	+1.26%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.83%	—	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.38%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.30%	+2.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.23%	-2.40%	-1.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.60%	2.16%	-0.56%

Volatility

ZPH.TO vs. SMAX.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BMO US Put Write Hedged to CAD ETF (ZPH.TO) is 2.42%, while Hamilton U.S. Equity YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF (SMAX.TO) has a volatility of 3.65%. This indicates that ZPH.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than SMAX.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZPH.TO	SMAX.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.42%	3.65%	-1.23%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.64%	10.70%	-5.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.55%	13.09%	-6.54%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.18%	14.60%	-3.42%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.59%	14.60%	-2.01%

ZPH.TO vs. SMAX.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ZPH.TO and SMAX.TO have an expense ratio of 0.65%.

Dividends

ZPH.TO vs. SMAX.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZPH.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.32%, more than SMAX.TO's 9.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SMAX.TO Hamilton U.S. Equity YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF	9.91%	10.50%	10.11%	1.92%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ZPH.TO BMO US Put Write Hedged to CAD ETF	10.32%	10.06%	9.95%	8.18%	8.83%	7.27%	7.67%	7.26%	6.98%	5.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZPH.TO and SMAX.TO in my portfolio?

ZPH.TO and SMAX.TO have a correlation of 0.49, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ZPH.TO or SMAX.TO?

Both ETFs have the same 0.65% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZPH.TO or SMAX.TO?

ZPH.TO and SMAX.TO have the same expense ratio: 0.65% per year.

What is the main difference between ZPH.TO and SMAX.TO?

They also come from different issuers: BMO and Hamilton Capital.