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  5. ZWU: Two part question [BMO Covered Call Utilities ETF]
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Investment Q&A

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Q: Two part question:

What are the major differences between these two covered call utilities etf's? Wondering why/how UMAX has ~2X dividend yield?

Would it be possible to suggest equivalent covered call etf(s) for US market?

Thank you.
Asked by Tony on October 16, 2025
5i Research Answer:

UMAX sells at-the-money call options, which get higher premiums than out-of-the-money. It typically sells options on half of its portfolio. ZWU sells out of the money options. While yield is much higher, UMAX pays out a larger portion of return of capital. If we look at one year total returns, UMAX is 5.33% and ZWU is 11.33%. When a sector rallies an at-the-money strategy is going to underperform. 

Authors of this answer, directors, partners and/or officers of 5i Research and/or affiliated companies have a financial or other interest in ZWU.