Funds that beat their benchmark
Income funds trade something for their payouts: a covered call fund gives up some of its stocks' upside for option income, and a dividend fund narrows its market to the payers. Over a year or three, did that trade pay? Pick a kind of fund to see what it's measured against.
These funds sell no options, so there's no version of them without options to compare with. Instead each is measured against the broad market it picks from: XIC for Canadian funds, SPY for US, XEF for international, XAW for global, CPD or PFF for preferred shares (split share preferreds included), XRE or REET for REITs, and XIC or XAW for split share Class A shares by what the corporation holds. Beating it means the fund's focus did better than owning the whole market. See every market yardstick.
84 of 116 funds beat the market over 1 year, to Nov 11, 2026.
Beat the market
| # | ETF | Fund | Market | Difference | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LCS Brompton Lifeco Split Corp. Class A Shares · Brompton 1.8x leverage | +87.0% | +22.4%XIC | +64.6% | 74 |
| 2 | LBS Life & Banc Split Corp. Class A Shares · Brompton 1.7x leverage | +74.2% | +22.4%XIC | +51.8% | 81 |
| 3 | CLSA Brompton Split Corp. Enhanced Equity Income · Brompton 1.8x leverage | +49.2% | +22.4%XIC | +26.8% | 87 |
| 4 | TBNK TD Canadian Bank Dividend Index · TD | +44.5% | +22.4%XIC | +22.1% | 80 |
| 5 | ESP Brompton Energy Split Corp. Class A Shares · Brompton 2.8x leverage | +42.6% | +22.4%XIC | +20.2% | 66 |
| 6 | XHU iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index · iShares | +32.2% | +14.2%SPY | +18.0% | 74 |
| 7 | SWIN HAMILTON CHAMPIONS™ Enhanced U.S. Dividend · Hamilton 1.25x leverage | +27.9% | +11.8%SPY | +16.0% | 64 |
| 8 | XDIV iShares Core MSCI Canadian Quality Dividend Index · iShares | +37.3% | +22.4%XIC | +14.9% | 81 |
| 9 | HAL Global X Active Canadian Dividend · Global X | +37.1% | +22.4%XIC | +14.8% | 67 |
| 10 | VDY Vanguard FTSE Canadian High Dividend Yield Index · Vanguard | +36.9% | +22.4%XIC | +14.6% | 78 |
| 11 | XHD iShares U.S. High Dividend Equity Index (CAD-Hedged) · iShares | +26.8% | +12.4%SPY | +14.4% | 72 |
| 12 | CWIN HAMILTON CHAMPIONS™ Enhanced Canadian Dividend · Hamilton 1.25x leverage | +34.6% | +21.8%XIC | +12.8% | 68 |
| 13 | XDV iShares Canadian Select Dividend Index · iShares | +34.2% | +22.4%XIC | +11.8% | 78 |
| 14 | IUAE CI S&P US Dividend Aristocrats ESG Index · CI | +22.7% | +11.8%SPY | +10.8% | 76 |
| 15 | XDU iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index · iShares | +24.9% | +14.2%SPY | +10.7% | 75 |
| 16 | RPDH RBC Quant European Dividend Leaders (CAD Hedged) · RBC | +25.0% | +14.4%XEF | +10.6% | 66 |
| 17 | XDGH iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index (CAD-Hedged) · iShares | +23.0% | +13.0%XAW | +10.0% | 76 |
| 18 | XEI iShares S&P/TSX Composite High Dividend Index · iShares | +32.3% | +22.4%XIC | +9.9% | 79 |
| 19 | RIDH RBC Quant EAFE Dividend Leaders (CAD Hedged) · RBC | +24.1% | +14.6%XEF | +9.6% | 71 |
| 20 | XDG iShares Core MSCI Global Quality Dividend Index · iShares | +24.1% | +14.6%XAW | +9.5% | 78 |
| 21 | VIDY Vanguard FTSE Developed ex North America High Dividend Yield Index · Vanguard | +23.6% | +14.6%XEF | +9.1% | 74 |
| 22 | ZDV BMO Canadian Dividend · BMO | +31.3% | +22.4%XIC | +8.9% | 81 |
| 23 | RPD RBC Quant European Dividend Leaders · RBC | +22.8% | +14.6%XEF | +8.3% | 72 |
| 24 | EMV.B CI Emerging Markets Dividend Index · CI | +22.6% | +14.6%XEF | +8.0% | 65 |
| 25 | TQGD TD Q Global Dividend · TD | +22.6% | +14.6%XAW | +8.0% | 79 |
| 26 | ZXLR BMO SPDR Real Estate Select Sector Index · BMO | +11.8% | +3.9%XRE | +7.9% | new |
| 27 | RID RBC Quant EAFE Dividend Leaders · RBC | +22.1% | +14.6%XEF | +7.6% | 75 |
| 28 | SMVP HAMILTON CHAMPIONS™ U.S. Dividend Index · Hamilton | +21.6% | +14.2%SPY | +7.4% | 71 |
| 29 | PDC CI Canadian Dividend Index · CI | +29.7% | +22.4%XIC | +7.3% | 77 |
| 30 | XDUH iShares Core MSCI US Quality Dividend Index (CAD-Hedged) · iShares | +19.6% | +12.4%SPY | +7.1% | 70 |
| 31 | MUSA Middlefield U.S. Equity Dividend · Middlefield | +21.3% | +14.2%SPY | +7.1% | 63 |
| 32 | SPFD Mulvihill Enhanced Split Preferred Share · Mulvihill 1.5x leverage | +12.2% | +5.3%CPD | +6.9% | 78 |
| 33 | FCID Fidelity International High Dividend · Fidelity | +21.3% | +14.6%XEF | +6.8% | 56 |
| 34 | PID Purpose International Dividend · Purpose | +21.1% | +14.6%XEF | +6.6% | 76 |
| 35 | ZDY BMO US Dividend · BMO | +20.5% | +14.2%SPY | +6.3% | 72 |
| 36 | MREL Middlefield Real Estate Dividend · Middlefield | +9.8% | +3.9%XRE | +6.0% | 75 |
| 37 | DGRC CI Canada Quality Dividend Growth Index · CI | +28.2% | +22.4%XIC | +5.8% | 73 |
| 38 | CUD iShares US Dividend Growers Index (CAD-Hedged) · iShares | +18.2% | +12.4%SPY | +5.8% | 69 |
| 39 | DXW Dynamic Active International Dividend · Dynamic | +20.0% | +14.4%XEF | +5.5% | 48 |
| 40 | ZDH BMO International Dividend Hedged to CAD · BMO | +20.1% | +14.6%XEF | +5.5% | 74 |
| 41 | UDIV Manulife Smart U.S. Dividend · Manulife | +17.8% | +12.4%SPY | +5.4% | 65 |
| 42 | RPF RBC Canadian Preferred Share · RBC | +10.6% | +5.3%CPD | +5.3% | 80 |
| 43 | TQCD TD Q Canadian Dividend · TD | +27.7% | +22.4%XIC | +5.3% | 81 |
| 44 | PHR Purpose Real Estate Income · Purpose | +9.2% | +3.9%XRE | +5.3% | 68 |
| 45 | HYBR Global X Active Hybrid Bond and Preferred Share · Global X | +10.4% | +5.3%CPD | +5.1% | 78 |
| 46 | ZPR BMO Laddered Preferred Share Index · BMO | +10.3% | +5.3%CPD | +5.0% | 86 |
| 47 | CMVP HAMILTON CHAMPIONS™ Canadian Dividend Index · Hamilton | +27.2% | +22.4%XIC | +4.8% | 78 |
| 48 | FDL First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders (CAD-Hedged) · First Trust | +26.9% | +22.4%XIC | +4.5% | 67 |
| 49 | DXRE Dynamic Active Real Estate · Dynamic | +10.0% | +5.5%XRE | +4.5% | 62 |
| 50 | PDF Purpose Core Dividend · Purpose | +26.9% | +22.4%XIC | +4.5% | 77 |
| 51 | MDIV Middlefield Global Dividend Growers · Middlefield | +19.1% | +14.6%XAW | +4.5% | 66 |
| 52 | XPF iShares S&P/TSX North American Preferred Stock Index (CAD-Hedged) · iShares | -0.5% | -4.8%PFF | +4.3% | 73 |
| 53 | ZUD BMO US Dividend Hedged to CAD · BMO | +16.7% | +12.4%SPY | +4.3% | 70 |
| 54 | VGG Vanguard U.S. Dividend Appreciation Index · Vanguard | +18.5% | +14.2%SPY | +4.3% | 76 |
| 55 | ZDI BMO International Dividend · BMO | +18.8% | +14.6%XEF | +4.2% | 79 |
| 56 | FPR CI Preferred Share · CI | +9.6% | +5.4%CPD | +4.2% | 67 |
| 57 | GDV.PR.A Global Dividend Growth Split Corp. Preferred Shares · Brompton | +9.3% | +5.3%CPD | +4.0% | 77 |
| 58 | ICAE CI S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats ESG Index · CI | +26.2% | +22.4%XIC | +3.8% | 73 |
| 59 | CDIV Manulife Smart Dividend · Manulife | +26.1% | +22.4%XIC | +3.7% | 82 |
| 60 | TPRF TD Active Preferred Share · TD | +8.8% | +5.3%CPD | +3.5% | 82 |
| 61 | UMI CI U.S. MidCap Dividend Index · CI | +15.2% | +11.8%SPY | +3.3% | 63 |
| 62 | CYH iShares Global Monthly Dividend Index (CAD-Hedged) · iShares | +17.8% | +14.6%XAW | +3.2% | 74 |
| 63 | REIT Global X Equal Weight Canadian REITs Index · Global X | +8.3% | +5.5%XRE | +2.8% | 67 |
| 64 | DCP Desjardins Canadian Preferred Share Index · Desjardins | +8.2% | +5.4%CPD | +2.7% | 64 |
| 65 | RUD RBC Quant U.S. Dividend Leaders · RBC | +16.9% | +14.2%SPY | +2.7% | 64 |
| 66 | PWI.PR.A Power & Infrastructure Split Corp. Preferred Shares · Brompton | +7.9% | +5.3%CPD | +2.6% | 76 |
| 67 | NDIV NBI Canadian Dividend Income · NBI | +24.2% | +21.8%XIC | +2.4% | 72 |
| 68 | RPS Purpose Canadian Preferred Share · Purpose | +7.7% | +5.3%CPD | +2.4% | 75 |
| 69 | HPR Global X Active Preferred Share · Global X | +7.6% | +5.3%CPD | +2.3% | 80 |
| 70 | IIAE CI S&P International Developed Dividend Aristocrats ESG Index · CI | +16.4% | +14.4%XEF | +2.0% | 73 |
| 71 | RIT CI Canadian REIT · CI | +5.8% | +3.9%XRE | +1.9% | 71 |
| 72 | DIVS Evolve Active Canadian Preferred Share · Evolve | +7.2% | +5.4%CPD | +1.8% | 76 |
| 73 | VGH Vanguard U.S. Dividend Appreciation Index (CAD-hedged) · Vanguard | +14.0% | +12.4%SPY | +1.5% | 76 |
| 74 | FCCD Fidelity Canadian High Dividend · Fidelity | +23.8% | +22.4%XIC | +1.4% | 69 |
| 75 | NPRF NBI Active Canadian Preferred Shares · NBI | +6.4% | +5.3%CPD | +1.1% | 81 |
| 76 | PREF Quadravest Preferred Split Share · Quadravest | +6.3% | +5.3%CPD | +1.0% | 77 |
| 77 | GDV Global Dividend Growth Split Corp. Class A Shares · Brompton 2x leverage | +15.6% | +14.6%XAW | +1.0% | 79 |
| 78 | ESP.PR.A Brompton Energy Split Corp. Preferred Shares · Brompton | +6.3% | +5.3%CPD | +1.0% | 72 |
| 79 | LBS.PR.A Life & Banc Split Corp. Preferred Shares · Brompton | +6.3% | +5.3%CPD | +1.0% | 81 |
| 80 | ZRE BMO Equal Weight REITs Index · BMO | +4.8% | +3.9%XRE | +0.9% | 74 |
| 81 | RUDH RBC Quant U.S. Dividend Leaders (CAD Hedged) · RBC | +13.2% | +12.4%SPY | +0.8% | 70 |
| 82 | SPLT Brompton Split Corp. Preferred Share · Brompton 1.15x leverage | +5.9% | +5.3%CPD | +0.6% | 80 |
| 83 | DXP Dynamic Active Preferred Shares · Dynamic | +5.7% | +5.3%CPD | +0.4% | 80 |
| 84 | MHCD Middlefield Healthcare Dividend · Middlefield | +22.4% | +22.4%XIC | +0.1% | 70 |
Trailed (32)
| # | ETF | Fund | Market | Difference | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85 | DXC Dynamic Active Canadian Dividend · Dynamic | +22.4% | +22.4%XIC | -0.0% | 77 |
| 86 | RCD RBC Quant Canadian Dividend Leaders · RBC | +22.3% | +22.4%XIC | -0.0% | 77 |
| 87 | CGRE CI Global REIT Private Pool · CI | +11.0% | +11.6%REET | -0.6% | 68 |
| 88 | CDZ iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Dividend Aristocrats Index · iShares | +21.6% | +22.4%XIC | -0.8% | 78 |
| 89 | XRE iShares S&P/TSX Capped REIT Index · iShares | +3.9% | +4.8%ZRE | -0.9% | 69 |
| 90 | PR Lysander-Slater Preferred Share ActivETF · Lysander | +4.2% | +5.4%CPD | -1.3% | 77 |
| 91 | CGR iShares Global Real Estate Index · iShares | +10.0% | +11.6%REET | -1.6% | 68 |
| 92 | CGQD.B CI Global Quality Dividend Growth Index · CI | +13.0% | +14.6%XAW | -1.6% | 67 |
| 93 | RBN.UN Blue Ribbon Income · Brompton | +20.2% | +21.8%XIC | -1.6% | 69 |
| 94 | HAZ Global X Active Global Dividend · Global X | +13.0% | +14.6%XAW | -1.6% | 65 |
| 95 | QRET Mackenzie Developed Markets Real Estate Index · Mackenzie | +9.8% | +11.6%REET | -1.8% | 68 |
| 96 | FCRR Fidelity U.S. Dividend for Rising Rates · Fidelity | +10.1% | +11.8%SPY | -1.8% | 50 |
| 97 | TDNA TD North American Dividend · TD | +12.4% | +14.2%SPY | -1.8% | 69 |
| 98 | FCUH Fidelity U.S. High Dividend Currency Neutral · Fidelity | +9.3% | +11.2%SPY | -2.0% | 52 |
| 99 | ZUP BMO US Preferred Share Index · BMO | -6.9% | -4.6%PFF | -2.4% | 62 |
| 100 | TGRE TD Active Global Real Estate Equity · TD | +8.8% | +11.5%REET | -2.7% | 73 |
| 101 | MDIF Manulife Dividend Income · Manulife | +18.7% | +21.8%XIC | -3.1% | 68 |
| 102 | DGS Dividend Growth Split Corp. Class A Shares · Brompton 2.3x leverage | +18.9% | +22.4%XIC | -3.4% | 80 |
| 103 | IQD CI International Quality Dividend Growth Index · CI | +10.9% | +14.4%XEF | -3.5% | 71 |
| 104 | MGDV Mackenzie Global Dividend · Mackenzie | +10.7% | +14.6%XAW | -3.9% | 73 |
| 105 | CPD iShares S&P/TSX Canadian Preferred Share Index · iShares | +5.3% | +10.3%ZPR | -5.0% | 81 |
| 106 | DGR CI U.S. Quality Dividend Growth Index · CI | +9.2% | +14.2%SPY | -5.1% | 64 |
| 107 | VRE Vanguard FTSE Canadian Capped REIT Index · Vanguard | -1.2% | +3.9%XRE | -5.1% | 70 |
| 108 | FCUD Fidelity U.S. High Dividend · Fidelity | +9.0% | +14.2%SPY | -5.2% | 53 |
| 109 | BPRF Brompton Flaherty & Crumrine Investment Grade Preferred · Brompton | 0.0% | +5.4%CPD | -5.4% | 72 |
| 110 | ZHP BMO US Preferred Share Hedged to CAD Index · BMO | -10.4% | -4.8%PFF | -5.6% | 54 |
| 111 | BEPR Brompton Flaherty & Crumrine Enhanced Investment Grade Preferred · Brompton 1.33x leverage | -1.8% | +5.3%CPD | -7.1% | 64 |
| 112 | DXU Dynamic Active U.S. Dividend · Dynamic | +6.9% | +14.2%SPY | -7.4% | new |
| 113 | FUD First Trust Value Line Dividend (CAD-Hedged) · First Trust | +13.5% | +21.8%XIC | -8.3% | 66 |
| 114 | DXG Dynamic Active Global Dividend · Dynamic | +6.0% | +14.6%XAW | -8.6% | 62 |
| 115 | CGDI CI Global Dividend Private Pool · CI | +2.6% | +13.0%XAW | -10.4% | 64 |
| 116 | PWI Power & Infrastructure Split Corp. Class A Shares · Brompton 2.1x leverage | +3.0% | +22.4%XIC | -19.3% | 69 |
How to read this
- Returns are totals in Canadian dollars, with distributions and dividends reinvested, over the same days for the fund and what it's measured against. A fund hedged to the Canadian dollar is measured in the benchmark's or market's own currency.
- Benchmark or market: a covered call fund is compared with the same stocks without options, a fund with no options with the broad market it picks from. Neither is the index a fund tracks: an index fund trails its own index by about its fee, by design, so that would only rank fees. Click a ticker under a return, or see every benchmark and market yardstick, for the full list and the funds compared with each.
- Leverage adds to gains when markets rise and to losses when they fall, so a leveraged fund beating an unleveraged benchmark says more about the market than the options.
- Each fund's own page has the full comparison over more periods.
This is information, not a recommendation to buy or sell any fund. How we compare.