A side-by-side comparison of BMO Equal Weight REITs (ZRE) and iShares Global Real Estate Common Class (CGR) 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 | ZRE | CGR |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +9.57% | +11.58%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.29% | +1.08%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +0.04% | +0.33%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +1.63%✓ | +1.23% |
| Current Price | $24.27 | $33.83 |
| AUM | $644M✓ | $287M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 4.39%✓ | 2.31% |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2010-05-19 | 2008-08-26 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | Real Estate Equity | Real Estate Equity |
| Beta | 0.87 | 0.97 |
| 52-Week High | $24.48 | $34.05 |
| 52-Week Low | $21.11 | $29.52 |
| 50-Day MA | $23.79 | $33.01 |
| 200-Day MA | $22.97 | $31.78 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZRE | CGR |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +9.57% | +11.58%✓ |
| 1 Year | +14.58%✓ | +13.40% |
| 3 Year | +9.93% | +11.60%✓ |
| 5 Year | +3.87% | +3.87% |
| 10 Year | +7.26%✓ | +4.53% |
| 1Y Volatility | 11.09% | 14.40% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.43 | 0.58 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | REI-UN | RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.46% |
| 2 | AP-UN | Allied Properties Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.37% |
| 3 | DIR-UN | Dream Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.37% |
| 4 | GRT-UN | Granite Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.33% |
| 5 | FCR-UN | First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.33% |
| 6 | PMZ-UN | Primaris Retail R.E. Invest. Tr. Units | 5.28% |
| 7 | KMP-UN | Killam Apartment Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.23% |
| 8 | SGR-UN | Slate Grocery REIT | 5.18% |
| 9 | CRR-UN | Crombie Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.17% |
| 10 | SRU-UN | SmartCentres Real Estate Investment Trust | 5.13% |
| 1 | AMT | American Tower Corp | 4.16% |
| 2 | PLD | Prologis Inc | 4.10% |
| 3 | SPG | Simon Property Group Inc | 4.09% |
| 4 | EQIX | Equinix Inc | 3.98% |
| 5 | O | Realty Income Corporation | 3.88% |
| 6 | DLR | Digital Realty Trust Inc | 3.83% |
| 7 | WELL | Welltower Inc | 3.83% |
| 8 | PSA | Public Storage | 3.81% |
| 9 | GMG | Goodman Group | 3.70% |
| 10 | VTR | Ventas Inc | 3.19% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZRE | CGR |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 100.00% | 100.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About ZRE
BMO Equal Weight REITs (ZRE.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About CGR
iShares Global Real Estate Common Class (CGR.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 ZRE and CGR 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, ZRE 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 ZRE and CGR?
ZRE (BMO Equal Weight REITs) and CGR (iShares Global Real Estate Common Class) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($644M vs $287M), dividend yield (4.39% vs 2.31%), and year-to-date performance (+9.57% vs +11.58%).
Is ZRE better than CGR?
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 ZRE and CGR on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZRE and CGR should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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