A side-by-side comparison of BMO Equal Weight US Banks Index ETF (ZBK) and Hamilton Canadian Financials YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF (HMAX) 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 | ZBK | HMAX |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +10.96% | +11.12%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +1.10%✓ | +0.17% |
| 1-Week Change | +2.40%✓ | +1.69% |
| 1-Month Change | +9.44%✓ | +4.51% |
| Current Price | $47.87 | $18.09 |
| AUM | $644M | $2.41B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0%✓ | 65% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.81% | 11.54%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2014-02-10 | 2023-01-20 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★ | ★★ |
| Category | Financial Services Equity | Financial Services Equity |
| Beta | 1.89 | 0.85 |
| 52-Week High | $48.08 | $18.14 |
| 52-Week Low | $35.47 | $12.77 |
| 50-Day MA | $44.26 | $17.04 |
| 200-Day MA | $42.23 | $16.13 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZBK | HMAX |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +10.96% | +11.12%✓ |
| 1 Year | +39.75%✓ | +39.17% |
| 3 Year | +32.06%✓ | +22.96% |
| 5 Year | +10.39% | — |
| 10 Year | +13.38% | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 13.01% | 9.58% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.17 | 1.54 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | EWBC | East West Bancorp Inc | 5.51% |
| 2 | GS | Goldman Sachs Group Inc | 5.48% |
| 3 | C | Citigroup Inc. | 5.45% |
| 4 | PNFP | Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. | 5.16% |
| 5 | CFG | Citizens Financial Group, Inc. | 5.12% |
| 6 | KEY | KeyCorp | 5.10% |
| 7 | WBS | Webster Financial Corporation | 5.07% |
| 8 | BAC | Bank of America Corp | 5.05% |
| 9 | PNC | PNC Financial Services Group Inc | 5.01% |
| 10 | FHN | First Horizon Corporation | 5.01% |
| 1 | RY | Royal Bank of Canada | 25.19% |
| 2 | TD | Toronto Dominion Bank | 17.80% |
| 3 | BMO | Bank of Montreal | 10.69% |
| 4 | BN | Brookfield Corporation | 10.50% |
| 5 | CM | Canadian Imperial Bank Of Commerce | 9.41% |
| 6 | BNS | Bank of Nova Scotia | 9.26% |
| 7 | MFC | Manulife Financial Corp | 6.01% |
| 8 | NA | National Bank of Canada | 5.37% |
| 9 | GWO | Great-West Lifeco Inc. | 4.96% |
| 10 | IFC | Intact Financial Corporation | 3.26% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZBK | HMAX |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About ZBK
BMO Equal Weight US Banks Index ETF (ZBK.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About HMAX
HMAX is designed for attractive monthly income, while providing exposure to a market cap-weighted portfolio of Canadian financial services stocks. To reduce volatility and augment dividend income, HMAX will employ an active covered call strategy.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ZBK and HMAX 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, HMAX 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 ZBK and HMAX?
ZBK (BMO Equal Weight US Banks Index ETF) and HMAX (Hamilton Canadian Financials YIELD MAXIMIZER ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($644M vs $2.41B), dividend yield (1.81% vs 11.54%), and year-to-date performance (+10.96% vs +11.12%).
Is ZBK better than HMAX?
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 ZBK and HMAX on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZBK and HMAX should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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