ZQQ.TO vs. ZLB.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZQQ.TO (BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity (CAD Hedged)) and ZLB.TO (BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ZQQ.TO is a Nasdaq-100 fund tracking the NASDAQ-100 Index, while ZLB.TO is a Canada Equities fund actively managed by BMO. ZQQ.TO is passively managed, while ZLB.TO is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, ZQQ.TO returned 20.08%/yr vs 10.67%/yr for ZLB.TO. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.39% expense ratio.

Performance

ZQQ.TO vs. ZLB.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 BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (ZLB.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 ZLB.TO's 3.14% return. Over the past 10 years, ZQQ.TO has outperformed ZLB.TO with an annualized return of 20.08%, while ZLB.TO has yielded a comparatively lower 10.67% 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%

ZLB.TO

• 1D: 0.03%
• 1M: 1.40%
• YTD: 3.14%
• 6M: 4.82%
• 1Y: 14.81%
• 3Y*: 15.17%
• 5Y*: 11.61%
• 10Y*: 10.67%

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

ZQQ.TO vs. ZLB.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%
ZLB.TO BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF	3.14%	25.29%	15.31%	9.41%	-0.35%	22.93%	1.51%	21.92%	-2.76%	11.07%

Correlation

The correlation between ZQQ.TO and ZLB.TO is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.24
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.36
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.45
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.46
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2011	0.49

Over the past year, the correlation between ZQQ.TO and ZLB.TO has dropped to 0.24 - well below their long-term average of 0.49, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

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

Sectors	ZQQ.TO	ZLB.TO
Technology	54.1%	2.0%
Communication Services	15.5%	9.2%
Consumer Cyclical	12.2%	8.6%
Consumer Defensive	7.6%	18.2%
Healthcare	4.2%	-
Industrials	3.1%	9.8%
Utilities	1.4%	17.6%
Basic Materials	1.2%	6.6%
Energy	0.6%	-
Financial Services	0.2%	23.7%
Real Estate	0.1%	4.3%

Return for Risk

ZQQ.TO vs. ZLB.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

ZLB.TO

ZLB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 54
ZLB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 51
ZLB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
ZLB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 51
ZLB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
ZLB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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. ZLB.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 BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (ZLB.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	ZLB.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.46	1.80	+0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.25	2.69	+0.56
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.43	1.32	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.01	2.77	+0.24
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.25	10.29	+0.96
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. ZLB.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZQQ.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.46, which is higher than the ZLB.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZQQ.TO and ZLB.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	ZLB.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.46	1.80	+0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72	1.24	-0.52
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90	0.88	+0.02
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.91	1.14	-0.23

Drawdowns

ZQQ.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZQQ.TO drawdown since its inception was -36.39%, which is greater than ZLB.TO's maximum drawdown of -33.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZQQ.TO and ZLB.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZQQ.TO	ZLB.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.39%	-33.96%	-2.43%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.86%	-5.36%	-7.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.79%	-8.01%	-14.78%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-36.39%	-13.00%	-23.39%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-36.39%	-33.96%	-2.43%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.28%	-1.70%	+1.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.37%	-2.46%	-2.91%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.43%	1.45%	+1.98%

Volatility

ZQQ.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Volatility Comparison

BMO NASDAQ 100 Equity (CAD Hedged) (ZQQ.TO) has a higher volatility of 4.54% compared to BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (ZLB.TO) at 2.47%. This indicates that ZQQ.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ZLB.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZQQ.TO	ZLB.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.54%	2.47%	+2.07%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.02%	6.38%	+5.64%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	15.73%	8.29%	+7.44%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	22.57%	9.44%	+13.13%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	22.41%	12.15%	+10.26%

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

Both ZQQ.TO and ZLB.TO have an expense ratio of 0.39%.

Dividends

ZQQ.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZQQ.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.22%, less than ZLB.TO's 1.88% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ZLB.TO BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF	1.88%	1.93%	2.37%	2.67%	2.66%	2.39%	2.83%	2.44%	2.76%	2.52%	2.94%	2.34%
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 ZLB.TO in my portfolio?

ZQQ.TO and ZLB.TO have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

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

Both ETFs have the same 0.39% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZQQ.TO or ZLB.TO?

ZQQ.TO and ZLB.TO have the same expense ratio: 0.39% per year.

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

ZQQ.TO is categorized as Nasdaq-100, while ZLB.TO is Canada Equities.