A side-by-side comparison of BMO Europe High Dividend Covered Call Hedged to CAD ETF (ZWE) and BMO MSCI Europe High Quality CAD Hedged (ZEQ) 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 | ZWE | ZEQ |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +1.03% | +4.11%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.69% | -0.65%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -1.83%✓ | -2.22% |
| 1-Month Change | -0.42%✓ | +0.50% |
| Current Price | $21.50 | $32.16 |
| AUM | $765M✓ | $316M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.65% | 0%✓ |
| Dividend Yield | 6.70%✓ | 2.88% |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2015-09-02 | 2014-02-10 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★ |
| Category | European Equity | European Equity |
| Beta | 0.65 | 0.91 |
| 52-Week High | $21.96 | $33.34 |
| 52-Week Low | $18.36 | $27.89 |
| 50-Day MA | $21.51 | $31.71 |
| 200-Day MA | $21.20 | $31.05 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZWE | ZEQ |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +1.03% | +4.11%✓ |
| 1 Year | +13.53%✓ | +6.26% |
| 3 Year | +10.59%✓ | +6.15% |
| 5 Year | +9.22%✓ | +4.99% |
| 10 Year | +8.89% | +9.16%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 9.07% | 11.33% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.81 | 0.27 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | ZWP | BMO Europe High Dividend Covered Call ETF | 99.98% |
| 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% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZWE | ZEQ |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 6.87% | 6.33% |
| Communication Services | 6.53% | 1.50% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 3.46% | 9.70% |
| Consumer Defensive | 8.31% | 15.24% |
| Energy | 9.72% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 24.27% | 9.42% |
| Healthcare | 12.58% | 24.93% |
| Industrials | 13.21% | 21.78% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 5.26% | 10.79% |
| Utilities | 9.78% | 0.30% |
About ZWE
The BMO Europe High Dividend Covered Call Hedged to CAD ETF has been designed to provide exposure to a dividend focused portfolio, while earning call option premiums. The underlying portfolio is yield-weighted and broadly diversified across sectors. The Fund screens for securities for dividend growth, sustainability, and option liquidity. The Fund also dynamically writes covered call options. The call options are written out of the money and selected based on analyzing the option's available pre…
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.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ZWE and ZEQ 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, ZWE 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 ZWE and ZEQ?
ZWE (BMO Europe High Dividend Covered Call Hedged to CAD ETF) and ZEQ (BMO MSCI Europe High Quality CAD Hedged) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($765M vs $316M), dividend yield (6.70% vs 2.88%), and year-to-date performance (+1.03% vs +4.11%).
Is ZWE better than ZEQ?
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 ZWE and ZEQ on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZWE and ZEQ should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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