ZWE.TO vs. ZPR.TO

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

ZWE.TO (BMO Europe High Dividend Covered Call Hedged to CAD ETF) and ZPR.TO (BMO Laddered Preferred Share Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ZWE.TO is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by BMO, while ZPR.TO is a Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds fund tracking the Solactive Laddered Canadian Preferred Share Index. ZWE.TO is actively managed, while ZPR.TO is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ZWE.TO returned 8.39%/yr vs 8.41%/yr for ZPR.TO. At a 0.28 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ZWE.TO charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.45%/yr for ZPR.TO.

Performance

ZWE.TO vs. ZPR.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in BMO Europe High Dividend Covered Call Hedged to CAD ETF (ZWE.TO) and BMO Laddered Preferred Share Index ETF (ZPR.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZWE.TO achieves a 6.03% return, which is significantly lower than ZPR.TO's 8.16% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with ZWE.TO having a 8.39% annualized return and ZPR.TO not far ahead at 8.41%.

ZWE.TO

• 1D: 0.28%
• 1M: 0.09%
• 6M: 3.82%
• YTD: 6.03%
• 1Y: 15.29%
• 3Y*: 11.19%
• 5Y*: 9.38%
• 10Y*: 8.39%

ZPR.TO

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 1.94%
• 6M: 7.55%
• YTD: 8.16%
• 1Y: 16.61%
• 3Y*: 20.09%
• 5Y*: 8.35%
• 10Y*: 8.41%

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

ZWE.TO vs. ZPR.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ZWE.TO BMO Europe High Dividend Covered Call Hedged to CAD ETF	6.03%	14.25%	7.16%	14.84%	0.29%	19.26%	-8.67%	22.25%	-10.53%	11.33%
ZPR.TO BMO Laddered Preferred Share Index ETF	8.16%	18.58%	26.58%	7.21%	-17.66%	23.77%	6.00%	1.94%	-9.77%	14.71%

Correlation

The correlation between ZWE.TO and ZPR.TO is 0.17, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.17
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.19
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.27
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 9, 2015	0.28

The correlation between ZWE.TO and ZPR.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.17 (1 year) to 0.28 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ZWE.TO vs. ZPR.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZWE.TO

ZWE.TO Risk / Return Rank: 45
ZWE.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 49
ZWE.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
ZWE.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 47
ZWE.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
ZWE.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 44

ZPR.TO

ZPR.TO Risk / Return Rank: 97
ZPR.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
ZPR.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
ZPR.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 97
ZPR.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 96
ZPR.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 97

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.

ZWE.TO vs. ZPR.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO Europe High Dividend Covered Call Hedged to CAD ETF (ZWE.TO) and BMO Laddered Preferred Share Index ETF (ZPR.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.

	ZWE.TO	ZPR.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.39	3.88	-2.49
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.93	5.87	-3.94
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.81	-0.56
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.61	6.76	-5.16
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.91	38.57	-32.65

ZWE.TO vs. ZPR.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZWE.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.39, which is lower than the ZPR.TO Sharpe Ratio of 3.88. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZWE.TO and ZPR.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

ZWE.TO vs. ZPR.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZWE.TO drawdown since its inception was -35.38%, smaller than the maximum ZPR.TO drawdown of -44.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZWE.TO and ZPR.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZWE.TO	ZPR.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-35.38%	-44.72%	+9.34%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-9.56%	-2.47%	-7.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.60%	-8.75%	-4.85%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.60%	-23.06%	+9.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.38%	-44.13%	+8.75%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.28%	0.00%	-1.28%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.08%	-9.21%	+5.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.59%	0.43%	+2.16%

Volatility

ZWE.TO vs. ZPR.TO - Volatility Comparison

BMO Europe High Dividend Covered Call Hedged to CAD ETF (ZWE.TO) has a higher volatility of 2.38% compared to BMO Laddered Preferred Share Index ETF (ZPR.TO) at 0.88%. This indicates that ZWE.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ZPR.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZWE.TO	ZPR.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.38%	0.88%	+1.50%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.22%	2.69%	+6.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.08%	4.30%	+6.78%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.59%	8.32%	+4.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.20%	11.42%	+3.78%

ZWE.TO vs. ZPR.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZWE.TO has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than ZPR.TO's 0.45% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZWE.TO vs. ZPR.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZWE.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.64%, more than ZPR.TO's 5.04% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ZPR.TO BMO Laddered Preferred Share Index ETF	5.04%	4.86%	4.93%	5.92%	5.97%	4.66%	5.48%	5.09%	4.82%	4.08%	5.14%	5.65%
ZWE.TO BMO Europe High Dividend Covered Call Hedged to CAD ETF	6.64%	6.81%	7.25%	7.25%	6.98%	6.30%	7.74%	6.68%	7.88%	6.59%	6.87%	2.35%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZWE.TO and ZPR.TO in my portfolio?

ZWE.TO and ZPR.TO have a correlation of 0.17, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ZWE.TO or ZPR.TO?

On fees, ZPR.TO is cheaper at 0.45% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZWE.TO or ZPR.TO?

ZPR.TO is cheaper with a 0.45% expense ratio, compared with 0.65% for ZWE.TO.

What is the main difference between ZWE.TO and ZPR.TO?

ZWE.TO is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while ZPR.TO is Preferred Stock/Convertible Bonds. Their fees differ too: 0.65% for ZWE.TO and 0.45% for ZPR.TO.