BMO All-Equity ETF (ZEQT.TO): Steady Dividends in Volatile Markets – A Buy for Income Seekers?

The BMO All-Equity ETF (ZEQT.TO) has quietly carved out a reputation as a bastion of stability in a market riddled with turbulence. Since April 2024, the ETF has maintained a steady CAD $0.22 dividend per quarter, defying broader equity volatility and offering income investors a predictable cash flow. With a forward dividend yield of 1.65% and a net asset value (NAV) that has held firm despite economic headwinds, the question arises: Is this a compelling opportunity for income-focused portfolios?

The Dividend Discipline: A Pattern of Consistency

The ETF's dividend history since late 2023 tells a story of deliberate recalibration. After a 9.09% spike in its December 2023 payout to CAD $0.24—likely a response to rising rates—the fund trimmed its distribution by 8.33% to CAD $0.22 in early 2024. Crucially, that $0.22 level has held steady ever since, with no cuts or fluctuations, even as global equities faced choppy conditions in 2024 and early 2025.