ZPH.TO vs. ZSP.TO

Last updated Jul 1, 2026

ZPH.TO (BMO US Put Write Hedged to CAD ETF) and ZSP.TO (BMO S&P 500 Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ZPH.TO is a Derivative Income fund actively managed by BMO, while ZSP.TO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. ZPH.TO is actively managed, while ZSP.TO is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ZPH.TO returned 5.25%/yr vs 16.12%/yr for ZSP.TO. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ZPH.TO charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for ZSP.TO.

Performance

ZPH.TO vs. ZSP.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 BMO S&P 500 Index ETF (ZSP.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 -0.15% return, which is significantly lower than ZSP.TO's 13.62% return.

ZPH.TO

• 1D: 0.30%
• 1M: -2.07%
• YTD: -0.15%
• 6M: -0.22%
• 1Y: 5.75%
• 3Y*: 7.73%
• 5Y*: 5.25%
• 10Y*: —

ZSP.TO

• 1D: 0.55%
• 1M: 1.75%
• YTD: 13.62%
• 6M: 13.06%
• 1Y: 27.01%
• 3Y*: 23.01%
• 5Y*: 16.12%
• 10Y*: 16.20%

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

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

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ZPH.TO BMO US Put Write Hedged to CAD ETF	-0.15%	9.47%	4.21%	22.61%	-10.37%	13.57%	2.43%	3.22%	-6.77%	3.90%
ZSP.TO BMO S&P 500 Index ETF	13.62%	12.36%	35.07%	23.30%	-12.68%	27.54%	15.61%	24.69%	3.28%	13.09%

Correlation

The correlation between ZPH.TO and ZSP.TO is 0.64, 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	0.64
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.57
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.62
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 9, 2017	0.48

The correlation between ZPH.TO and ZSP.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.48 (all time) to 0.64 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ZPH.TO vs. ZSP.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: 26
ZPH.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 27
ZPH.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 26
ZPH.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 26
ZPH.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 23
ZPH.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 29

ZSP.TO

ZSP.TO Risk / Return Rank: 79
ZSP.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
ZSP.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 81
ZSP.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 82
ZSP.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
ZSP.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 74

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. ZSP.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 BMO S&P 500 Index ETF (ZSP.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	ZSP.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.90	2.24	-1.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.31	3.05	-1.75
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.41	-0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.95	3.15	-2.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.61	11.67	-8.06

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

The current ZPH.TO Sharpe Ratio is 0.90, which is lower than the ZSP.TO Sharpe Ratio of 2.24. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZPH.TO and ZSP.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. ZSP.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZPH.TO drawdown since its inception was -33.38%, which is greater than ZSP.TO's maximum drawdown of -26.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZPH.TO and ZSP.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZPH.TO	ZSP.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-33.38%	-26.94%	-6.44%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.07%	-8.61%	+2.54%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.83%	-18.95%	+7.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.38%	-22.25%	+3.87%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-26.94%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.27%	-0.09%	-2.18%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.24%	-3.33%	-0.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.60%	2.32%	-0.72%

Volatility

ZPH.TO vs. ZSP.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BMO US Put Write Hedged to CAD ETF (ZPH.TO) is 2.33%, while BMO S&P 500 Index ETF (ZSP.TO) has a volatility of 4.81%. This indicates that ZPH.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ZSP.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZPH.TO	ZSP.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.33%	4.81%	-2.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.44%	9.58%	-4.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.42%	12.11%	-5.69%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.16%	15.08%	-3.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.61%	16.39%	-3.78%

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

ZPH.TO has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than ZSP.TO's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZPH.TO vs. ZSP.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZPH.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.61%, more than ZSP.TO's 0.76% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ZPH.TO BMO US Put Write Hedged to CAD ETF	10.61%	10.06%	9.95%	8.18%	8.83%	7.27%	7.67%	7.26%	6.98%	5.94%	0.00%	0.00%
ZSP.TO BMO S&P 500 Index ETF	0.76%	0.82%	0.94%	1.33%	1.44%	1.15%	1.45%	1.48%	1.68%	1.68%	2.23%	1.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

ZPH.TO and ZSP.TO have a correlation of 0.64, 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 ZSP.TO?

On fees, ZSP.TO is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

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

ZSP.TO is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ZPH.TO.

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

ZPH.TO is categorized as Derivative Income, while ZSP.TO is S&P 500. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for ZPH.TO and 0.09% for ZSP.TO.