ZQQ.TO vs. VSP.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZQQ.TO (BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity (CAD Hedged)) and VSP.TO (Vanguard S&P 500 CAD-hedged ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ZQQ.TO is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while VSP.TO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ZQQ.TO returned 20.08%/yr vs 13.85%/yr for VSP.TO. Their correlation of 0.88 suggests significant overlap in exposure. ZQQ.TO charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VSP.TO.

Performance

ZQQ.TO vs. VSP.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity (CAD Hedged) (ZQQ.TO) and Vanguard S&P 500 CAD-hedged ETF (VSP.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZQQ.TO achieves a 19.82% return, which is significantly higher than VSP.TO's 9.64% return. Over the past 10 years, ZQQ.TO has outperformed VSP.TO with an annualized return of 20.08%, while VSP.TO has yielded a comparatively lower 13.85% annualized return.

ZQQ.TO

• 1D: -0.28%
• 1M: 10.63%
• YTD: 19.82%
• 6M: 18.08%
• 1Y: 38.53%
• 3Y*: 26.42%
• 5Y*: 16.12%
• 10Y*: 20.08%

VSP.TO

• 1D: -0.73%
• 1M: 4.96%
• YTD: 9.64%
• 6M: 9.52%
• 1Y: 25.17%
• 3Y*: 20.30%
• 5Y*: 12.20%
• 10Y*: 13.85%

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

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

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ZQQ.TO BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity (CAD Hedged)	19.82%	18.38%	24.00%	52.52%	-33.75%	26.68%	45.33%	37.08%	-2.29%	31.51%
VSP.TO Vanguard S&P 500 CAD-hedged ETF	9.64%	15.49%	23.68%	24.16%	-19.24%	27.90%	15.32%	30.18%	-6.75%	21.05%

Correlation

The correlation between ZQQ.TO and VSP.TO is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.93
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2012	0.88

The correlation between ZQQ.TO and VSP.TO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.88 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

ZQQ.TO vs. VSP.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ZQQ.TO	VSP.TO
Technology	54.1%	35.7%
Communication Services	15.5%	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	10.2%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	4.9%
Healthcare	4.2%	8.5%
Industrials	3.1%	8.3%
Utilities	1.4%	2.4%
Basic Materials	1.2%	1.8%
Energy	0.6%	3.5%
Financial Services	0.2%	11.6%
Real Estate	0.1%	1.9%

Return for Risk

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

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

ZQQ.TO

ZQQ.TO Risk / Return Rank: 67
ZQQ.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 74
ZQQ.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
ZQQ.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 69
ZQQ.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ZQQ.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 61

VSP.TO

VSP.TO Risk / Return Rank: 60
VSP.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 59
VSP.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 59
VSP.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 60
VSP.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 53
VSP.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 66

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity (CAD Hedged) (ZQQ.TO) and Vanguard S&P 500 CAD-hedged ETF (VSP.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.

	ZQQ.TO	VSP.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.46	2.04	+0.42
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.25	2.84	+0.41
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.38	+0.05
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.01	2.69	+0.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.25	12.28	-1.04
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

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

The current ZQQ.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.46, which is comparable to the VSP.TO Sharpe Ratio of 2.04. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZQQ.TO and VSP.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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ZQQ.TO	VSP.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.46	2.04	+0.42
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	0.73	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90	0.77	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	0.84	+0.07

Drawdowns

ZQQ.TO vs. VSP.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZQQ.TO drawdown since its inception was -36.39%, roughly equal to the maximum VSP.TO drawdown of -35.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZQQ.TO and VSP.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZQQ.TO	VSP.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.39%	-35.55%	-0.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.86%	-9.40%	-3.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.79%	-18.85%	-3.94%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.39%	-25.54%	-10.85%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.39%	-35.55%	-0.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	-2.04%	+1.76%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.37%	-4.00%	-1.37%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.43%	2.05%	+1.38%

Volatility

ZQQ.TO vs. VSP.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity (CAD Hedged) (ZQQ.TO) is 4.54%, while Vanguard S&P 500 CAD-hedged ETF (VSP.TO) has a volatility of 5.00%. This indicates that ZQQ.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VSP.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZQQ.TO	VSP.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.54%	5.00%	-0.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.02%	9.80%	+2.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.73%	12.39%	+3.34%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.57%	16.90%	+5.67%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.41%	18.02%	+4.39%

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

ZQQ.TO has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than VSP.TO's 0.09% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZQQ.TO vs. VSP.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZQQ.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.22%, less than VSP.TO's 0.84% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VSP.TO Vanguard S&P 500 CAD-hedged ETF	0.84%	0.92%	1.07%	1.17%	1.37%	1.07%	1.27%	1.52%	1.76%	1.46%	1.69%	1.75%
ZQQ.TO BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity (CAD Hedged)	0.22%	0.27%	0.37%	0.32%	0.45%	0.14%	0.41%	0.51%	0.64%	0.57%	1.60%	0.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZQQ.TO and VSP.TO in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, ZQQ.TO and VSP.TO move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which ETF is better, ZQQ.TO or VSP.TO?

On fees, VSP.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, ZQQ.TO or VSP.TO?

VSP.TO is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for ZQQ.TO.

What is the main difference between ZQQ.TO and VSP.TO?

ZQQ.TO is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while VSP.TO is S&P 500. ZQQ.TO tracks NASDAQ-100 Index, while VSP.TO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: BMO and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for ZQQ.TO and 0.09% for VSP.TO.