TSE:ZWU

BMO Covered Call Utilities ETF (ZWU.TO)

11.67
+0.06 (0.47%)
as of Aug 14, 2026, 7:59:30 pm Market Open.
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Investor Insights
star iconAug 15, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 18 opinions in the last 12 months.

The BMO Covered Call Utilities ETF (ZWU) has received a variety of perspectives from experts, with a focus on its appeal for income-seeking investors due to its attractive yield, which ranges from 6.9% to 7%. While the covered call strategy limits upside potential, many believe that utilities provide essential stability in an uncertain market, especially as demand for energy increases, particularly in the U.S. Furthermore, the ETF is diversified across utilities, telecommunications, and pipelines, offering a tax-efficient investment approach. Despite concerns about rising interest rates impacting utility stocks, the consensus among experts is that ZWU remains a viable option amidst the current market landscape, making it suitable for a portion of a diversified portfolio.

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Consensus
Positive
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Valuation
Fair Value
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COMMENT

This is good for a senior because utilities tend to be low volatility. The Covered Call provides income. As discussed in previous shows, the upside is taken away somewhat by the risk of being called away. But, the downside is also muted because you are getting the income from writing the Call Options, even if the underlying security is dropped.

BUY

Utility sector is very susceptible to increases in interest rates. Likes this and the covered call layover on this. Would not Buy the street utilities ETF. Don’t have this is a huge part of your portfolio but keep it to something like 5%. Good yield of around 5.5%-6%.

HOLD

Down about 15-20% over the last little while. Has been shying away from covered call strategies. He would hold. 6.7% yield.

COMMENT

Covered Calls work great in trendless markets. This one pays about 6.8% yield. Comparing this to the ZUT-T (not a Covered Call utility) this has probably done marginally better. If you think the market is going to be trendless, this is a way to go. Otherwise, you just buy the utilities and forget the Call.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Likes it. Normalization of interest rates since May has hurt this stock. Also they own Telcos which are under pressure because of Verizon. 6% yield.

HOLD

6% yield is what he bought it for. He would tend to go with the financials. The problem with the covered call ETF is that if you bought 3 of the banks, you would probably have done better so he sticks with the banks, rather than this ETF. Over the last 3 years banks have been sideways but dividends increased. Would prefer financials over real estate.

BUY

REITs or utilities for a long-term investor? He is more inclined towards utilities. Have been getting beaten up lately but thinks it was overdone. He likes BMO Covered Call Utilities ETF (ZWU-T) which provides a pretty decent yield and good diversification. The problem with REITs is that there was so much interest in them earlier in the year that they got quite overpriced. Also REITs are probably more interest sensitive.

BUY

These have Call options on Canadian utilities so you are more or less getting the performance of the utilities but you are also getting the income from the Call options on them. Good conservative thing to hold but he wouldn’t put a whole lot of your portfolio in this. 20% would be quite fine.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Utilities tend to have higher debt load so if interest rates go up they tend to underperform. This has 20% US utilities. Around the 14.50 area he has been buying it.

TOP PICK

Has sold off quite smartly. A pretty broad utility index. Good yield at 6%. Also, they are writing covered calls.

BUY

Broader based utilities. For the next few years this trades 5% on either side of $15 and generates a nice yield for you. Includes telecoms. 6-7% yield. Don’t worry too much about volatility.

BUY

6-8% dividend for next 2-3 years. Covered call strategies. Not without volatility. Likes it.

DON'T BUY

Very much likes Covered Calls but not in this market. Really great in a market that isn’t going anywhere, sort of a sideways trending market. If you are bullish on equities, you do not want to have any Covered Calls as it will drag down the performance of the position. Thinks markets are moving higher, so covered calls will impact your rate of return.

BUY

Loves it. Covered Call Utility Stock ETF. Utility stocks are relatively stable and the fact that you can do a covered against them enhances the yield a couple percent a year and is a brilliant strategy. A nice stable investment and if markets dip you still get the yield.

COMMENT

This would work very well for people who want a low beta portfolio. Makes a good deal of sense for a lot of people. With covered calls, you are giving away some of the upside but protecting some of the downside. Also, utilities are more conservative usually. Not against this but doesn’t always recommend it.

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