A side-by-side comparison of BMO Global High Dividend Covered Call ETF (ZWG) and iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF (XDG) 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 | ZWG | XDG |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +10.51% | +12.80%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.11% | +2.11%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +0.46% | +2.36%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +1.81% | +5.29%✓ |
| Current Price | $37.22 | $33.83 |
| AUM | $317M | $744M✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.65% | 0%✓ |
| Dividend Yield | 5.88%✓ | 2.81% |
| Distribution Frequency | — | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2020-01-15 | 2017-06-07 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | Global Dividend & Income Equity | Global Dividend & Income Equity |
| Beta | 0.67 | 0.50 |
| 52-Week High | $37.39 | $33.83 |
| 52-Week Low | $29.68 | $26.81 |
| 50-Day MA | $35.66 | $32.18 |
| 200-Day MA | $34.53 | $31.09 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZWG | XDG |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +10.51% | +12.80%✓ |
| 1 Year | +24.99%✓ | +22.40% |
| 3 Year | +16.80%✓ | +16.54% |
| 5 Year | +11.22% | +11.76%✓ |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 7.05% | 8.80% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.44 | 1.36 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | CSCO | Cisco Systems Inc | 5.39% |
| 2 | IBM | International Business Machines | 4.86% |
| 3 | CAT | Caterpillar Inc | 4.61% |
| 4 | ABBV | AbbVie Inc | 4.34% |
| 5 | MSFT | Microsoft Corporation | 4.19% |
| 6 | MRK | Merck & Company Inc | 4.07% |
| 7 | AAPL | Apple Inc. | 3.98% |
| 8 | XOM | Exxon Mobil Corp | 3.91% |
| 9 | HD | The Home Depot Inc | 3.84% |
| 10 | JPM | JPMorgan Chase & Co | 3.71% |
| 1 | XOM | Exxon Mobil Corp | 3.06% |
| 2 | JNJ | Johnson & Johnson | 2.75% |
| 3 | ABBV | AbbVie Inc | 1.96% |
| 4 | UNH | UnitedHealth Group Incorporated | 1.76% |
| 5 | CVX | Chevron Corp | 1.71% |
| 6 | PG | Procter & Gamble Company | 1.70% |
| 7 | HD | The Home Depot Inc | 1.60% |
| 8 | KO | The Coca-Cola Company | 1.55% |
| 9 | ROP | Roche Holding AG | 1.50% |
| 10 | MRK | Merck & Company Inc | 1.49% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZWG | XDG |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 5.44% | 2.27% |
| Communication Services | 7.02% | 3.11% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 6.62% | 9.45% |
| Consumer Defensive | 5.69% | 14.94% |
| Energy | 7.50% | 11.60% |
| Financial Services | 15.18% | 13.84% |
| Healthcare | 9.73% | 21.39% |
| Industrials | 8.75% | 11.37% |
| Real Estate | 2.46% | 0.14% |
| Technology | 28.66% | 6.11% |
| Utilities | 2.94% | 5.79% |
About ZWG
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About XDG
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ZWG and XDG 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, XDG 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 ZWG and XDG?
ZWG (BMO Global High Dividend Covered Call ETF) and XDG (iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($317M vs $744M), dividend yield (5.88% vs 2.81%), and year-to-date performance (+10.51% vs +12.80%).
Is ZWG better than XDG?
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 ZWG and XDG on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZWG and XDG should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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