A side-by-side comparison of iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio (XGRO) and BMO S&P 500 Index ETF (ZSP) 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 | XGRO | ZSP |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +9.56% | +12.99%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.62%✓ | -0.76% |
| 1-Week Change | -1.36% | -0.64%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +0.84%✓ | +3.01% |
| Current Price | $38.38 | $116.48 |
| AUM | $4.90B | $23.94B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.89%✓ | 0.76% |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2007-06-21 | 2012-11-14 |
| Holdings Count | 8 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | Global Equity Balanced | US Equity |
| Beta | 1.06 | 0.99 |
| 52-Week High | $38.95 | $117.88 |
| 52-Week Low | $31.45 | $92.36 |
| 50-Day MA | $37.97 | $113.62 |
| 200-Day MA | $36.12 | $105.88 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XGRO | ZSP |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +9.56% | +12.99%✓ |
| 1 Year | +24.06% | +27.62%✓ |
| 3 Year | +18.42% | +22.77%✓ |
| 5 Year | +11.18% | +16.33%✓ |
| 10 Year | +10.54% | +16.08%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 8.06% | 11.94% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.66 | 1.55 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | ITOT | iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | 36.48% |
| 2 | XEF | iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI | 19.84% |
| 3 | XIC | iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite | 19.68% |
| 4 | XBB | iShares Canadian Universe Bond | 12.91% |
| 5 | XEC | iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF | 3.93% |
| 6 | XSH | iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate + Maple Bond | 2.99% |
| 7 | USIG | iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | 1.95% |
| 8 | GOVT | iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF | 1.95% |
| 1 | NVDA | NVIDIA Corporation | 7.83% |
| 2 | AAPL | Apple Inc. | 6.71% |
| 3 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 4.56% |
| 4 | AMZN | Amazon.com Inc | 3.66% |
| 5 | GOOGL | Alphabet Inc Class A | 3.31% |
| 6 | AVGO | Broadcom Inc | 2.85% |
| 7 | GOOG | Alphabet Inc Class C | 2.66% |
| 8 | META | Meta Platforms Inc. | 1.95% |
| 9 | TSLA | Tesla Inc | 1.80% |
| 10 | MU | Micron Technology Inc | 1.74% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XGRO | ZSP |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 6.73% | 1.74% |
| Communication Services | 6.25% | 11.01% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.76% | 9.83% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.49% | 4.75% |
| Energy | 7.15% | 3.29% |
| Financial Services | 20.66% | 11.12% |
| Healthcare | 6.79% | 8.21% |
| Industrials | 12.04% | 7.99% |
| Real Estate | 2.24% | 1.83% |
| Technology | 23.13% | 38.05% |
| Utilities | 2.75% | 2.15% |
About XGRO
NA
About ZSP
BMO S&P 500 Index ETF (ZSP.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 XGRO and ZSP 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, ZSP 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 XGRO and ZSP?
XGRO (iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio) and ZSP (BMO S&P 500 Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($4.90B vs $23.94B), dividend yield (1.89% vs 0.76%), and year-to-date performance (+9.56% vs +12.99%).
Is XGRO better than ZSP?
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 XGRO and ZSP on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XGRO and ZSP should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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