ZXLK.TO vs. XEXP.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZXLK.TO (BMO SPDR Technology Select Sector Index ETF) and XEXP.TO (iShares Exponential Technologies Index ETF) are both Technology Equities funds - ZXLK.TO tracks the Technology Select Sector Index while XEXP.TO tracks the Morningstar Exponential Technologies Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, ZXLK.TO returned 60.51% vs 41.18% for XEXP.TO. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. ZXLK.TO charges 0.21%/yr vs 0.44%/yr for XEXP.TO.

Performance

ZXLK.TO vs. XEXP.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in BMO SPDR Technology Select Sector Index ETF (ZXLK.TO) and iShares Exponential Technologies Index ETF (XEXP.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZXLK.TO achieves a 37.64% return, which is significantly higher than XEXP.TO's 21.53% return.

ZXLK.TO

• 1D: -0.16%
• 1M: 24.03%
• YTD: 37.64%
• 6M: 28.47%
• 1Y: 60.51%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XEXP.TO

• 1D: 0.25%
• 1M: 11.43%
• YTD: 21.53%
• 6M: 13.91%
• 1Y: 41.18%
• 3Y*: 17.73%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

ZXLK.TO vs. XEXP.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025
ZXLK.TO BMO SPDR Technology Select Sector Index ETF	37.64%	19.04%
XEXP.TO iShares Exponential Technologies Index ETF	21.53%	8.92%

Correlation

The correlation between ZXLK.TO and XEXP.TO is 0.39, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.39
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 7, 2025	0.37

Return for Risk

ZXLK.TO vs. XEXP.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZXLK.TO

ZXLK.TO Risk / Return Rank: 71
ZXLK.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 86
ZXLK.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 78
ZXLK.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 84
ZXLK.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
ZXLK.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 47

XEXP.TO

XEXP.TO Risk / Return Rank: 73
XEXP.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
XEXP.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
XEXP.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 81
XEXP.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 69
XEXP.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

ZXLK.TO vs. XEXP.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO SPDR Technology Select Sector Index ETF (ZXLK.TO) and iShares Exponential Technologies Index ETF (XEXP.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.

	ZXLK.TO	XEXP.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.87	2.51	+0.36
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.52	3.36	+0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.51	1.48	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.90	3.42	-0.51
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.81	10.64	-2.83
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZXLK.TO vs. XEXP.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZXLK.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.87, which is comparable to the XEXP.TO Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZXLK.TO and XEXP.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

	ZXLK.TO	XEXP.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.87	2.51	+0.36
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.58	0.92	+0.66

Drawdowns

ZXLK.TO vs. XEXP.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZXLK.TO drawdown since its inception was -22.20%, roughly equal to the maximum XEXP.TO drawdown of -22.44%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZXLK.TO and XEXP.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZXLK.TO	XEXP.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.20%	-22.44%	+0.24%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-20.93%	-12.10%	-8.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-22.44%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.16%	0.00%	-0.16%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.70%	-3.99%	-1.71%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.78%	3.88%	+3.90%

Volatility

ZXLK.TO vs. XEXP.TO - Volatility Comparison

BMO SPDR Technology Select Sector Index ETF (ZXLK.TO) has a higher volatility of 7.11% compared to iShares Exponential Technologies Index ETF (XEXP.TO) at 5.54%. This indicates that ZXLK.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XEXP.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZXLK.TO	XEXP.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.11%	5.54%	+1.57%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	17.14%	12.89%	+4.25%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	21.27%	16.48%	+4.79%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.96%	18.92%	+10.04%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	28.96%	18.92%	+10.04%

ZXLK.TO vs. XEXP.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZXLK.TO has a 0.21% expense ratio, which is lower than XEXP.TO's 0.44% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZXLK.TO vs. XEXP.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZXLK.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.21%, less than XEXP.TO's 0.54% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022
XEXP.TO iShares Exponential Technologies Index ETF	0.54%	0.65%	0.80%	0.63%	0.21%
ZXLK.TO BMO SPDR Technology Select Sector Index ETF	0.21%	0.29%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZXLK.TO and XEXP.TO in my portfolio?

ZXLK.TO and XEXP.TO have a correlation of 0.39, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ZXLK.TO or XEXP.TO?

On fees, ZXLK.TO is cheaper at 0.21% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZXLK.TO or XEXP.TO?

ZXLK.TO is cheaper with a 0.21% expense ratio, compared with 0.44% for XEXP.TO.

What is the main difference between ZXLK.TO and XEXP.TO?

ZXLK.TO tracks Technology Select Sector Index, while XEXP.TO tracks Morningstar Exponential Technologies Index. They also come from different issuers: BMO and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.21% for ZXLK.TO and 0.44% for XEXP.TO.