A side-by-side comparison of iShares Global Real Estate Common Class (CGR) and BMO Equal Weight REITs (ZRE) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
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1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | CGR | ZRE |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +10.39%✓ | +9.26% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.90%✓ | -0.53% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.59% | -0.08%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +1.27%✓ | +1.64% |
| Current Price | $33.47 | $24.20 |
| AUM | $287M | $644M✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.31% | 4.39%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2008-08-26 | 2010-05-19 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | Real Estate Equity | Real Estate Equity |
| Beta | 0.97 | 0.87 |
| 52-Week High | $34.05 | $24.48 |
| 52-Week Low | $29.52 | $21.11 |
| 50-Day MA | $32.99 | $23.77 |
| 200-Day MA | $31.77 | $22.96 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | CGR | ZRE |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +10.39%✓ | +9.26% |
| 1 Year | +13.40% | +14.58%✓ |
| 3 Year | +11.60%✓ | +9.93% |
| 5 Year | +3.87% | +3.87% |
| 10 Year | +4.53% | +7.26%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 14.40% | 11.09% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.58 | 0.43 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | AMT | American Tower Corp | 4.16% |
| 2 | PLD | Prologis Inc | 4.10% |
| 3 | SPG | Simon Property Group Inc | 4.09% |
| 4 | EQIX | Equinix Inc | 3.98% |
| 5 | O | Realty Income Corporation | 3.88% |
| 6 | DLR | Digital Realty Trust Inc | 3.83% |
| 7 | WELL | Welltower Inc | 3.83% |
| 8 | PSA | Public Storage | 3.81% |
| 9 | GMG | Goodman Group | 3.70% |
| 10 | VTR | Ventas Inc | 3.19% |
| 1 | REI-UN | RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.41% |
| 2 | FCR-UN | First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.38% |
| 3 | AP-UN | Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.37% |
| 4 | DIR-UN | Dream Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.33% |
| 5 | GRT-UN | Granite Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.29% |
| 6 | PMZ-UN | Primaris Retail R.E. Invest. Tr. Units | 5.25% |
| 7 | KMP-UN | Killam Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.25% |
| 8 | CRR-UN | Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.15% |
| 9 | CRT-UN | CT Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.12% |
| 10 | SRU-UN | SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.11% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | CGR | ZRE |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 100.00% | 100.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About CGR
iShares Global Real Estate Common Class (CGR.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About ZRE
BMO Equal Weight REITs (ZRE.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both CGR and ZRE are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, ZRE scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- 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 CGR and ZRE?
CGR (iShares Global Real Estate Common Class) and ZRE (BMO Equal Weight REITs) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($287M vs $644M), dividend yield (2.31% vs 4.39%), and year-to-date performance (+10.39% vs +9.26%).
Is CGR better than ZRE?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, CGR has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy CGR and ZRE on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both CGR and ZRE should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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