A side-by-side comparison of BMO High Yield US Corporate Bond Index ETF (ZJK) and First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF (HYLS) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | ZJK | HYLS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -92.03% | -0.83%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -91.77% | +0.15%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -91.86% | +0.79%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | -91.90% | +1.32%✓ |
| Current Price | $1.50 | $39.80 |
| AUM | $1.75B✓ | $1.60B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | 1.05% |
| Dividend Yield | 6.48% | 6.63%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | NA |
| Inception Date | 2017-10-04 | 2013-02-25 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 1 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | High Yield Bonds | High Yield Bonds |
| Beta | 1.17 | 0.72 |
| 52-Week High | $19.02 | $41.23 |
| 52-Week Low | $17.43 | $38.32 |
| 50-Day MA | $18.54 | $39.95 |
| 200-Day MA | $18.74 | $40.72 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZJK | HYLS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -92.03% | -0.83%✓ |
| 1 Year | +1.36%✓ | +1.00% |
| 3 Year | +8.76%✓ | +7.69% |
| 5 Year | +6.06%✓ | +2.83% |
| 10 Year | +0.00% | +4.12%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 4.25% | 3.76% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.06 | 0.44 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | JNK | SPDR® Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF | 0.78% |
| 1 | MISXX | Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Treasury Portfolio | 4.97% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZJK | HYLS |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 32.73% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 4.95% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 8.39% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 55.90% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About ZJK
NA
About HYLS
Under normal market conditions, the fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in high yield debt securities that are rated below investment grade at the time of purchase or unrated securities deemed by the fund's advisor to be of comparable quality.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ZJK and HYLS 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, HYLS 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 ZJK and HYLS?
ZJK (BMO High Yield US Corporate Bond Index ETF) and HYLS (First Trust Tactical High Yield ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($1.75B vs $1.60B), dividend yield (6.48% vs 6.63%), and year-to-date performance (-92.03% vs -0.83%).
Is ZJK better than HYLS?
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 ZJK and HYLS on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZJK and HYLS should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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