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ZRE.TO vs. XEC.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ZRE.TO vs. XEC.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZRE.TO (BMO Equal Weight REITs Index ETF) and XEC.TO (iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ZRE.TO is a REIT fund tracking the Solactive Equal Weight Canada REIT Index, while XEC.TO is a Emerging Markets Equities fund tracking the Morningstar EM GR CAD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ZRE.TO returned 6.80%/yr vs 10.71%/yr for XEC.TO. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ZRE.TO charges 0.61%/yr vs 0.28%/yr for XEC.TO.

Performance

ZRE.TO vs. XEC.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in BMO Equal Weight REITs Index ETF (ZRE.TO) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF (XEC.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZRE.TO achieves a 9.53% return, which is significantly lower than XEC.TO's 27.92% return. Over the past 10 years, ZRE.TO has underperformed XEC.TO with an annualized return of 6.80%, while XEC.TO has yielded a comparatively higher 10.71% annualized return.

ZRE.TO

1D
-0.34%
1M
0.68%
YTD
9.53%
6M
10.66%
1Y
11.30%
3Y*
8.06%
5Y*
3.45%
10Y*
6.80%

XEC.TO

1D
-0.88%
1M
10.15%
YTD
27.92%
6M
28.48%
1Y
54.44%
3Y*
24.69%
5Y*
10.21%
10Y*
10.71%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ZRE.TO vs. XEC.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
ZRE.TO
BMO Equal Weight REITs Index ETF		9.53%11.21%2.82%0.84%-17.80%33.96%-7.79%25.79%3.29%14.28%
XEC.TO
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF		27.92%25.78%16.14%7.92%-14.68%-1.74%15.08%11.53%-8.26%27.93%

Correlation

The correlation between ZRE.TO and XEC.TO is 0.25, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.25

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.33

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.33

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.29

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 16, 2013

0.28

ZRE.TO vs. XEC.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ZRE.TO
XEC.TO

Real Estate

100.0%
1.7%

Basic Materials

-

6.9%

Communication Services

-

6.4%

Consumer Cyclical

-

9.6%

Consumer Defensive

-

3.3%

Energy

-

3.9%

Financial Services

-

18.4%

Healthcare

-

3.7%

Industrials

-

9.0%

Technology

-

35.0%

Utilities

-

2.2%

Real Estate

ZRE.TO
100.0%
XEC.TO
1.7%

Basic Materials

ZRE.TO

-

XEC.TO
6.9%

Communication Services

ZRE.TO

-

XEC.TO
6.4%

Consumer Cyclical

ZRE.TO

-

XEC.TO
9.6%

Consumer Defensive

ZRE.TO

-

XEC.TO
3.3%

Energy

ZRE.TO

-

XEC.TO
3.9%

Financial Services

ZRE.TO

-

XEC.TO
18.4%

Healthcare

ZRE.TO

-

XEC.TO
3.7%

Industrials

ZRE.TO

-

XEC.TO
9.0%

Technology

ZRE.TO

-

XEC.TO
35.0%

Utilities

ZRE.TO

-

XEC.TO
2.2%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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BMO Equal Weight REITs Index ETF

iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF

Often compared with ZRE.TO:
ZRE.TO vs. XRE.TOZRE.TO vs. VREZRE.TO vs. VNQZRE.TO vs. VDY.TOZRE.TO vs. VRE.TOZRE.TO vs. XEQT.TOZRE.TO vs. VOO
Often compared with XEC.TO:
XEC.TO vs. XEF.TOXEC.TO vs. VEE.TOXEC.TO vs. XEM.TOXEC.TO vs. ZEM.TOXEC.TO vs. XEQT.TOXEC.TO vs. VFV.TOXEC.TO vs. XIC.TO

Return for Risk

ZRE.TO vs. XEC.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ZRE.TO
ZRE.TO Risk / Return Rank: 2929
Overall Rank
ZRE.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2828
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ZRE.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 2828
Sortino Ratio Rank
ZRE.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 2626
Omega Ratio Rank
ZRE.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 3232
Calmar Ratio Rank
ZRE.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 2929
Martin Ratio Rank
XEC.TO
XEC.TO Risk / Return Rank: 8686
Overall Rank
XEC.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8888
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XEC.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 8585
Sortino Ratio Rank
XEC.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 8888
Omega Ratio Rank
XEC.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 8686
Calmar Ratio Rank
XEC.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 8383
Martin Ratio Rank
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.

ZRE.TO vs. XEC.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO Equal Weight REITs Index ETF (ZRE.TO) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF (XEC.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.

ZRE.TOXEC.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.02
3.01

-1.98

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.54
3.86

-2.32

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.18

1.56

-0.38

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.61

4.86

-3.26

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

4.29

17.00

-12.71

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZRE.TO vs. XEC.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZRE.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.02, which is lower than the XEC.TO Sharpe Ratio of 3.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZRE.TO and XEC.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.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

ZRE.TOXEC.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.02

3.01

-1.98

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.22

0.65

-0.42

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.39

0.61

-0.23

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.52

0.52

0.00

Drawdowns

ZRE.TO vs. XEC.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZRE.TO drawdown since its inception was -46.29%, which is greater than XEC.TO's maximum drawdown of -32.54%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZRE.TO and XEC.TO.

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Drawdown Indicators

ZRE.TOXEC.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-46.29%

-32.54%

-13.75%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.07%

-11.25%

+4.18%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.16%

-15.07%

-2.09%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-32.52%

-29.14%

-3.38%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-46.29%

-32.54%

-13.75%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.71%

-0.88%

+0.17%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-7.74%

-9.56%

+1.82%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

2.64%

3.21%

-0.57%

Volatility

ZRE.TO vs. XEC.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BMO Equal Weight REITs Index ETF (ZRE.TO) is 2.83%, while iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF (XEC.TO) has a volatility of 7.80%. This indicates that ZRE.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XEC.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ZRE.TOXEC.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.83%

7.80%

-4.97%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

8.39%

15.85%

-7.46%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

11.09%

18.19%

-7.10%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

15.55%

15.91%

-0.36%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.68%

17.60%

+0.08%

ZRE.TO vs. XEC.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZRE.TO has a 0.61% expense ratio, which is higher than XEC.TO's 0.28% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZRE.TO vs. XEC.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZRE.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.42%, more than XEC.TO's 1.50% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
XEC.TO
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF		1.50%1.92%2.03%2.16%2.28%2.78%1.64%2.87%2.66%2.13%1.80%2.19%
ZRE.TO
BMO Equal Weight REITs Index ETF		4.42%4.90%5.19%5.07%4.90%3.82%4.95%4.11%4.89%4.98%5.39%5.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

ZRE.TO and XEC.TO have a correlation of 0.25, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, XEC.TO is cheaper at 0.28% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

XEC.TO is cheaper with a 0.28% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for ZRE.TO.

ZRE.TO is categorized as REIT, while XEC.TO is Emerging Markets Equities. ZRE.TO tracks Solactive Equal Weight Canada REIT Index, while XEC.TO tracks Morningstar EM GR CAD. They also come from different issuers: BMO and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.61% for ZRE.TO and 0.28% for XEC.TO.

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