A side-by-side comparison of BMO MSCI Europe High Quality CAD Hedged (ZEQ) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index ETF (VE) 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 | ZEQ | VE |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +4.11% | +7.19%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.65%✓ | -0.82% |
| 1-Week Change | -2.22%✓ | -2.54% |
| 1-Month Change | +0.50%✓ | -0.35% |
| Current Price | $32.16 | $48.33 |
| AUM | $316M | $660M✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.88%✓ | 2.64% |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2014-02-10 | 2014-06-30 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | European Equity | European Equity |
| Beta | 0.91 | 1.01 |
| 52-Week High | $33.34 | $50.27 |
| 52-Week Low | $27.89 | $39.01 |
| 50-Day MA | $31.71 | $47.80 |
| 200-Day MA | $31.05 | $45.69 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZEQ | VE |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +4.11% | +7.19%✓ |
| 1 Year | +6.26% | +20.74%✓ |
| 3 Year | +6.15% | +18.60%✓ |
| 5 Year | +4.99% | +11.37%✓ |
| 10 Year | +9.16% | +10.66%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 11.33% | 11.47% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.27 | 1.31 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | ASML | ASML Holding N.V. | 6.08% |
| 2 | NOVN | Novartis AG | 4.88% |
| 3 | AZN | AstraZeneca PLC | 4.85% |
| 4 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 4.53% |
| 5 | NESN | Nestle S.A. | 4.46% |
| 6 | ABBN | ABB Ltd | 3.41% |
| 7 | NOVO-B | Novo Nordisk A/S | 3.39% |
| 8 | SAP | SAP SE | 3.07% |
| 9 | ULVR | Unilever PLC | 2.83% |
| 10 | ALV | Allianz SE VNA O.N. | 2.73% |
| 1 | ASML | ASML Holding N.V. | 3.96% |
| 2 | HSBA | HSBC Holdings PLC | 2.04% |
| 3 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 1.87% |
| 4 | NOVN | Novartis AG | 1.83% |
| 5 | AZN | AstraZeneca PLC | 1.76% |
| 6 | NESN | Nestle S.A. | 1.65% |
| 7 | SHEL | Shell plc | 1.51% |
| 8 | SIE | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | 1.46% |
| 9 | SAP | SAP SE | 1.18% |
| 10 | SAN | Banco Santander S.A. | 1.16% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZEQ | VE |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 6.33% | 5.95% |
| Communication Services | 1.50% | 3.10% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 9.70% | 6.87% |
| Consumer Defensive | 15.24% | 8.22% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 5.34% |
| Financial Services | 9.42% | 23.26% |
| Healthcare | 24.93% | 12.37% |
| Industrials | 21.78% | 20.10% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 1.63% |
| Technology | 10.79% | 8.38% |
| Utilities | 0.30% | 4.79% |
About ZEQ
BMO MSCI Europe High Quality CAD Hedged (ZEQ.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About VE
Vanguard FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index ETF seeks to track, to the extent reasonably possible and before fees and expenses, the performance of a broad European equity index that focuses on developed European markets. Currently, this Vanguard ETF seeks to track the FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index (or any successor thereto). It invests directly or indirectly primarily in large-, mid-, and small-capitalization stocks of companies located in developed European markets.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ZEQ and VE 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, VE 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 ZEQ and VE?
ZEQ (BMO MSCI Europe High Quality CAD Hedged) and VE (Vanguard FTSE Developed Europe All Cap Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($316M vs $660M), dividend yield (2.88% vs 2.64%), and year-to-date performance (+4.11% vs +7.19%).
Is ZEQ better than VE?
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 ZEQ and VE on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZEQ and VE should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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