A side-by-side comparison of BMO Equal Weight Utilities Index ETF (ZUT) and iShares S&P/TSX Capped Utilities Index ETF (XUT) 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 | ZUT | XUT |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +12.94%✓ | +10.30% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.21% | +1.14%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +0.81% | +1.55%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +2.61%✓ | +3.03% |
| Current Price | $28.72 | $35.34 |
| AUM | $854M✓ | $635M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.90% | 3.15%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2010-01-19 | 2011-04-12 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | — | — |
| Beta | 0.32 | 0.36 |
| 52-Week High | $30.88 | $38.05 |
| 52-Week Low | $24.18 | $30.54 |
| 50-Day MA | $28.34 | $34.66 |
| 200-Day MA | $28.48 | $35.08 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZUT | XUT |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +12.94%✓ | +10.30% |
| 1 Year | +8.52%✓ | +7.44% |
| 3 Year | +21.09%✓ | +20.62% |
| 5 Year | +6.30% | +6.95%✓ |
| 10 Year | +9.92%✓ | +8.74% |
| 1Y Volatility | 14.20% | 12.26% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.92 | 1.07 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | TA | TransAlta Corp | 9.15% |
| 2 | NPI | Northland Power Inc. | 8.72% |
| 3 | ALA | AltaGas Ltd | 8.50% |
| 4 | ACO-X | ATCO Ltd | 8.60% |
| 5 | CU | Canadian Utilities Limited | 8.72% |
| 6 | CPX | Capital Power Corporation | 8.69% |
| 7 | FTS | Fortis Inc | 8.30% |
| 8 | EMA | Emera Inc. | 8.20% |
| 9 | BIP-UN | Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P | 7.93% |
| 10 | H | Hydro One Ltd | 8.51% |
| 1 | FTS | Fortis Inc | 24.56% |
| 2 | BIP-UN | Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P | 14.37% |
| 3 | EMA | Emera Inc. | 13.42% |
| 4 | ALA | AltaGas Ltd | 10.15% |
| 5 | H | Hydro One Ltd | 9.69% |
| 6 | CPX | Capital Power Corporation | 5.93% |
| 7 | BEP-UN | Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P | 5.40% |
| 8 | CU | Canadian Utilities Limited | 4.16% |
| 9 | NPI | Northland Power Inc. | 3.66% |
| 10 | ACO-X | ATCO Ltd | 3.33% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZUT | XUT |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 8.11% | 10.47% |
| 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 | 95.05% | 92.20% |
About ZUT
BMO Equal Weight Utilities Index ETF (ZUT.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About XUT
iShares S&P/TSX Capped Utilities Index ETF (XUT.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 ZUT and XUT 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, ZUT 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 ZUT and XUT?
ZUT (BMO Equal Weight Utilities Index ETF) and XUT (iShares S&P/TSX Capped Utilities Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($854M vs $635M), dividend yield (2.90% vs 3.15%), and year-to-date performance (+12.94% vs +10.30%).
Is ZUT better than XUT?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, ZUT has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ZUT and XUT on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZUT and XUT should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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