A side-by-side comparison of iShares S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index ETF (XST) and BMO Covered Call Utilities ETF (ZWU) 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 | XST | ZWU |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +1.74% | +7.71%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -1.27% | 0.00%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -2.31% | -0.62%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +2.40%✓ | -1.93% |
| Current Price | $64.78 | $11.95 |
| AUM | $399M | $2.21B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0%✓ | 0.65% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.69% | 7.07%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2011-04-12 | 2011-10-20 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Sector Equity | Sector Equity |
| Beta | -0.04 | 0.24 |
| 52-Week High | $69.12 | $12.16 |
| 52-Week Low | $57.98 | $10.13 |
| 50-Day MA | $63.80 | $11.91 |
| 200-Day MA | $63.25 | $11.61 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XST | ZWU |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +1.74% | +7.71%✓ |
| 1 Year | +11.92% | +16.92%✓ |
| 3 Year | +18.28%✓ | +11.28% |
| 5 Year | +14.57%✓ | +6.37% |
| 10 Year | +10.87%✓ | +6.21% |
| 1Y Volatility | 14.17% | 8.53% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.98 | 0.76 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | L | Loblaw Companies Limited | 25.28% |
| 2 | ATD | Alimentation Couchen Tard Inc A | 24.53% |
| 3 | MRU | Metro Inc. | 14.58% |
| 4 | WN | George Weston Limited | 12.79% |
| 5 | SAP | Saputo Inc | 8.75% |
| 6 | EMP-A | Empire Company Limited | 5.37% |
| 7 | PBH | Premium Brands Holdings Corporation | 3.31% |
| 8 | NWC | North West Company Inc | 2.10% |
| 9 | MFI | Maple Leaf Foods Inc. | 1.90% |
| 10 | JWEL | Jamieson Wellness Inc | 1.24% |
| 1 | TRP | TC Energy Corp | 5.60% |
| 2 | ENB | Enbridge Inc | 5.27% |
| 3 | ZUT | BMO Equal Weight Utilities Index ETF | 5.11% |
| 4 | H | Hydro One Ltd | 5.11% |
| 5 | FTS | Fortis Inc | 4.98% |
| 6 | PPL | Pembina Pipeline Corp | 4.93% |
| 7 | WMB | Williams Companies Inc | 4.76% |
| 8 | VZ | Verizon Communications Inc | 4.74% |
| 9 | T | AT&T Inc. | 4.38% |
| 10 | BCE | BCE Inc | 4.20% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XST | ZWU |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 21.16% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 24.95% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 75.05% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 27.89% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 50.95% |
About XST
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index ETF (XST.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About ZWU
BMO Covered Call Utilities ETF (ZWU.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 XST and ZWU 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, ZWU 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 XST and ZWU?
XST (iShares S&P/TSX Capped Consumer Staples Index ETF) and ZWU (BMO Covered Call Utilities ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($399M vs $2.21B), dividend yield (0.69% vs 7.07%), and year-to-date performance (+1.74% vs +7.71%).
Is XST better than ZWU?
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 XST and ZWU on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XST and ZWU should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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