TSE:ZWK

Covered Call US Banks ETF (ZWK.TO)

29.28
+0.37 (1.28%)
as of Sep 3, 2026, 7:45:21 pm Market Open.
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Investor Insights
star iconSep 4, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 8 opinions in the last 12 months.

Experts have a mixed outlook on the ZWK ETF, which primarily includes regional banks alongside larger institutions. While some believe that investing directly in robust large-cap banks may yield better total returns compared to the covered call strategy employed by ZWK, others acknowledge the appeal of the ETF's relatively high dividend yield of around 7%. Several reviews express concern that the covered call approach limits upside potential, suggesting that investors may find more benefits by owning underlying stocks directly. Nevertheless, there is an appreciation for the stability that covered calls can provide amidst current market conditions, particularly with regard to the evolving regulatory environment. Overall, while US banks are viewed positively, with many regional banks emerging as potential acquisition targets, experts seem to favor a more selective approach to bank investments, particularly favoring larger banks over regional ones.

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Consensus
Neutral
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Valuation
Fair Value
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ZBK
BUY

Good yield with covered call strategy. Currency exposure a concern, but likes Canadian banking sector. Expecting strong earnings going forward. Housing pressure with renewing mortgages a concern, but overall a good product for long term investors. 

BUY

Likes covered call ETFs on banks and dividend payers, not tech. He prefers BMO ETFs, because they run the covered call on 50-60% of the stocks, so you still get the upside on the balance. ZWK pays around 10% dividends, but remember you don't enjoy the tax credit in Canada on these American banks

WEAK BUY

Bought this to enhance gains, but has really enhance losses. A stinker. The Silicon Valley bank collapsed hit the entire US banking sector, but this sector is a core holding. The ZWK yield remains good. He's averaged down on this instead of dumping it. Disappointed, though.

WEAK BUY

Yield gets up to about 10% with the covered call overlay. Likes US banks, cheap relative to 5-10 year history. If economy continues to recover, banks should be there. Last 3 months, this has returned 17.5%. 

Are you looking for income, or do you just want exposure to US banks? Makes sense if you need the income. He'd argue that you'll get a better total return owning the underlying shares, or an ETF of US banks, instead of using the covered call strategy.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Would wait to buy on weakness. Economic hard landing in the horizon. Wait for impact of interest rates to be felt. 

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Hard economic landing will not be good for US banks. Would be risky if economy slows down. Would not buy. Wait for markets to fall before investing. 

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Believes challenges remain in US banking system with higher interest rates.
Would wait to buy as bank shares fall even more.
Quality names in top US banks. 


BUY

0.72% MER good.
Fundamentals of banking industry improving.
Would be a good time to buy given share price.
Lots of risk priced in.

BUY
Trevor Rose’s Insights - Trevor’s most-liked answers from 5i Research

With the US banking sector 'settling' down, ZWK does look a bit better. It is up 8.6% in the past month as the crisis subsides. We still have recession and rate risks, but with no new bank failures in a while and confidence returning, we would be more comfortable with ZWK today. 
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BUY ON WEAKNESS

Silicon Valley Bank included in this ETF (reason for share price weakness).
Would recommend buying in the coming months as higher interest rates rake their toll (job losses).
Other banks in ETF are strong.

DON'T BUY

Not a good time to invest.
Wait for bottom in the market.
Looming recession will present good buying opportunity.

HOLD

Mix of large and smaller banks.
Recent bank weakness included in ETF.
Would look at if interested in dividend yields.

HOLD
Broad basket of US regional & National banks (5% weighting to each name). Question is how much exposure investors want to banks. Low dividend rate, not as high as Canadian banks. Not a good investment for someone in their 80's.
BUY
Good option for someone in their mid-80s? Broad equal-weight basket of US regional and national banks. Pretty volatile and cyclical and getting less dividend than with Canadian banks. If already exposed to Canadian banks then good option, otherwise it would be wise to wait 3 to 6 months to see how the recession is going to play out on capital markets.
COMMENT
It pays around an 8% dividend. This holds not just US banks, but the selective covered-call ETFs index with 1.25% leverage, and you get an 11-12% distribution yield, but there is a 38% tech and communications weighting, so that's a warning. This is down 18% vs. the S&P. A new ETF.
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