A side-by-side comparison of iShares Dynamic Equity Active ETF (BDYN) and iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF (BDVL) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | BDYN | BDVL |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +1.31% | +1.41%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.22% | +0.21%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -0.94% | -0.55%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | 0.00%✓ | -1.72% |
| Current Price | $27.78 | $26.17 |
| AUM | $3.15B✓ | $1.75B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.31% | — |
| Distribution Frequency | — | — |
| Inception Date | 2017-06-01 | 2017-06-01 |
| Holdings Count | 127 | 497 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | Global Large-Stock Blend | Global Large-Stock Blend |
| Beta | 0.96 | 0.62 |
| 52-Week High | $29.31 | $27.02 |
| 52-Week Low | $23.51 | $23.66 |
| 50-Day MA | $28.00 | $26.50 |
| 200-Day MA | $26.72 | $25.74 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | BDYN | BDVL |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +1.31% | +1.41%✓ |
| 1 Year | +15.14%✓ | +10.88% |
| 3 Year | +19.39%✓ | +14.71% |
| 5 Year | +9.56%✓ | +8.00% |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 12.83% | 8.78% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.04 | 1.04 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | AAPL | Apple Inc. | 5.96% |
| 2 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 4.59% |
| 3 | GOOG | Alphabet Inc Class C | 3.58% |
| 4 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 3.54% |
| 5 | AMZN | Amazon.com Inc | 2.76% |
| 6 | LLY | Eli Lilly and Company | 2.00% |
| 7 | MU | Micron Technology Inc | 1.99% |
| 8 | META | Meta Platforms Inc. | 1.97% |
| 9 | AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 1.89% |
| 10 | ASML | ASML Holding N.V. New York Registry Shares | 1.39% |
| 1 | INDA | iShares MSCI India ETF | 2.51% |
| 2 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 1.65% |
| 3 | MA | Mastercard Inc | 1.45% |
| 4 | AMZN | Amazon.com Inc | 1.41% |
| 5 | INTC | Intel Corporation | 1.30% |
| 6 | SO | Southern Company | 1.28% |
| 7 | GOOG | Alphabet Inc Class C | 1.23% |
| 8 | 2330 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | 1.21% |
| 9 | COST | Costco Wholesale Corp | 1.15% |
| 10 | AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 1.11% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | BDYN | BDVL |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.99% | 2.20% |
| Communication Services | 8.87% | 8.18% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 8.36% | 8.13% |
| Consumer Defensive | 3.49% | 6.57% |
| Energy | 6.16% | 2.86% |
| Financial Services | 15.05% | 14.14% |
| Healthcare | 10.98% | 10.94% |
| Industrials | 14.15% | 16.18% |
| Real Estate | 0.12% | 1.03% |
| Technology | 30.07% | 25.91% |
| Utilities | 1.76% | 3.86% |
About BDYN
The fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities. It seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in both equity and fixed-income securities, including money market securities and other short-term securities or instruments, of issuers located around the world. Equity securities include common stock, preferred stock, ADRs, or securities or other instruments whose price is linked to the value o…
About BDVL
The fund will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities. It seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in both equity and fixed-income securities, including money market securities and other short-term securities or instruments that the fund management team believes may offer attractive risk-adjusted returns. Equity securities include common stock, preferred stock, ADRs, or securities or other ins…
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both BDYN and BDVL are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
BDYN and BDVL are closely matched on the metrics we track. The right choice depends on your individual investment goals, tax situation, and time horizon.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between BDYN and BDVL?
BDYN (iShares Dynamic Equity Active ETF) and BDVL (iShares Disciplined Volatility Equity Active ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($3.15B vs $1.75B), dividend yield (0.31% vs N/A), and year-to-date performance (+1.31% vs +1.41%).
Is BDYN better than BDVL?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy BDYN and BDVL on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both BDYN and BDVL should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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