ZUP.TO vs. NPRF.TO

Last updated Aug 4, 2026

ZUP.TO (BMO US Preferred Share Index ETF) and NPRF.TO (NBI Active Canadian Preferred Shares ETF) are both Preferred Stock funds. ZUP.TO is passively managed, while NPRF.TO is actively managed. Over the past 5 years, ZUP.TO returned 1.12%/yr vs 6.34%/yr for NPRF.TO. Their 0.08 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship. ZUP.TO charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.54%/yr for NPRF.TO.

Performance

ZUP.TO vs. NPRF.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in BMO US Preferred Share Index ETF (ZUP.TO) and NBI Active Canadian Preferred Shares ETF (NPRF.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZUP.TO achieves a 3.28% return, which is significantly lower than NPRF.TO's 6.07% return.

ZUP.TO

• 1D: -0.15%
• 1M: -2.54%
• 6M: 1.65%
• YTD: 3.28%
• 1Y: 3.67%
• 3Y*: 7.79%
• 5Y*: 1.12%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 3.10%

NPRF.TO

• 1D: 0.04%
• 1M: 1.85%
• 6M: 5.12%
• YTD: 6.07%
• 1Y: 6.77%
• 3Y*: 16.92%
• 5Y*: 6.34%
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 8.44%

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

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
NPRF.TO NBI Active Canadian Preferred Shares ETF	CA$110.25K	CA$96.73K	CA$111.08K
ZUP.TO BMO US Preferred Share Index ETF	CA$5.87K	CA$8.06K	CA$11.58K

ZUP.TO vs. NPRF.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
ZUP.TO BMO US Preferred Share Index ETF	3.28%	-4.11%	17.52%	3.56%	-14.25%	4.80%	7.69%	6.67%
NPRF.TO NBI Active Canadian Preferred Shares ETF	6.07%	11.95%	29.71%	4.36%	-16.96%	23.46%	7.91%	3.02%

Correlation

The correlation between ZUP.TO and NPRF.TO is 0.09, meaning there was essentially no consistent relationship between their historical price movements. Each responded to its own set of market drivers.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.09
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.14
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period.	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 8, 2019	0.08

Return for Risk

ZUP.TO vs. NPRF.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

ZUP.TO

ZUP.TO Risk / Return Rank: 23
ZUP.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 23
ZUP.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 22
ZUP.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 21
ZUP.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 28
ZUP.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 23

NPRF.TO

NPRF.TO Risk / Return Rank: 30
NPRF.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 30
NPRF.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 27
NPRF.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 47
NPRF.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 26
NPRF.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 20

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

ZUP.TO vs. NPRF.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO US Preferred Share Index ETF (ZUP.TO) and NBI Active Canadian Preferred Shares ETF (NPRF.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.

	ZUP.TO	NPRF.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.54	0.80	-0.26
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.85	1.09	-0.24
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.24	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.96	0.85	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.89	1.51	+0.38

ZUP.TO vs. NPRF.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZUP.TO Sharpe Ratio is 0.54, which is lower than the NPRF.TO Sharpe Ratio of 0.80. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZUP.TO and NPRF.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

ZUP.TO vs. NPRF.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZUP.TO drawdown since its inception was -32.93%, smaller than the maximum NPRF.TO drawdown of -36.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZUP.TO and NPRF.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZUP.TO	NPRF.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-32.93%	-36.97%	+4.04%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.76%	-7.85%	+3.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-12.88%	-7.85%	-5.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.34%	-24.68%	-0.66%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.37%	-2.03%	-2.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.33%	-6.89%	+1.56%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.42%	4.41%	-1.99%

Volatility

ZUP.TO vs. NPRF.TO - Volatility Comparison

BMO US Preferred Share Index ETF (ZUP.TO) has a higher volatility of 2.49% compared to NBI Active Canadian Preferred Shares ETF (NPRF.TO) at 0.66%. This indicates that ZUP.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NPRF.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZUP.TO	NPRF.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.49%	0.66%	+1.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	6.03%	2.89%	+3.14%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.50%	8.38%	+0.12%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.81%	9.40%	+2.41%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.37%	12.25%	+2.12%

ZUP.TO vs. NPRF.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZUP.TO has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than NPRF.TO's 0.54% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZUP.TO vs. NPRF.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZUP.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 5.58%, more than NPRF.TO's 4.53% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NPRF.TO NBI Active Canadian Preferred Shares ETF	4.53%	4.75%	4.65%	5.86%	4.91%	3.78%	4.39%	3.16%	0.00%	0.00%
ZUP.TO BMO US Preferred Share Index ETF	5.58%	6.51%	5.82%	6.88%	6.33%	5.28%	5.81%	5.52%	5.29%	5.14%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZUP.TO and NPRF.TO in my portfolio?

ZUP.TO and NPRF.TO have a correlation of 0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ZUP.TO or NPRF.TO?

On fees, ZUP.TO is cheaper at 0.50% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZUP.TO or NPRF.TO?

ZUP.TO is cheaper with a 0.50% expense ratio, compared with 0.54% for NPRF.TO.

What is the main difference between ZUP.TO and NPRF.TO?

They also come from different issuers: BMO and NBI. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for ZUP.TO and 0.54% for NPRF.TO.