VS
BMO ESG Corporate Bond Index ETF (ESGB) and BMO Discount Bond Index ETF (ZDB) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that ESGB focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Finance, Utilities, and Telecommunications, while ZDB leans towards Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, ESGB features a management fee (MER) of 0.15%, compared to 0.09% for ZDB. Performance-wise, ESGB has returned 1.12% year-to-date with +$12 M in net flows, whereas ZDB is at 0.6% with +$301 M. Use the comparison tool below to benchmark these funds across top 10 holdings, yield, sector weights and historical returns.
NAV Performance and Flows
Key Data
Compare
ESGB
ZDB
| AuM | $90.92 M | $1,441.35 M |
| Management Fees | 0.15% | 0.09% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.17% | 0.10% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.10% | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of November 3, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | ESGB | +0.86% | -0.22% | +1.12% | +0.86% | +18.37% |
ZDB | +1.43% | -0.45% | +0.60% | -0.36% | +12.99% | |
| Flows | ESGB | +$1 M | +$5 M | +$12 M | +$17 M | +$31 M |
ZDB | +$45 M | +$109 M | +$301 M | +$606 M | +$570 M |
ESGB vs ZDB exposure
Countries
ESGB
Canada
100.00%
ZDB
Canada
100.00%
Sectors
ESGB
Finance
51.82%
Utilities
15.18%
Telecommunications
10.55%
Energy
9.00%
Other
13.45%
ZDB
Sovereign
33.38%
Municipal
31.30%
Finance
11.64%
Government Agencies
9.98%
Other
13.70%
As of November 3, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
ESGB
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 1.888% 8mar2028, CAD
3.62%
Bank of Montreal, 3.19% 1mar2028, CAD
2.95%
Rogers Communications, 6.75% 9nov2039, CAD
2.47%
Royal Bank of Canada, 4.632% 1may2028, CAD
2.25%
Bank of Nova Scotia, 3.836% 26sep2030, CAD
2.20%
Pembina Pipeline Corporation, 3.62% 3apr2029, CAD (12)
2.20%
Manulife Finance (Delaware), L.P, 5.059% 15dec2041, CAD
2.18%
Bank of Nova Scotia, 3.734% 27jun2031, CAD
2.18%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 4.423% 31oct2035, CAD
2.17%
Royal Bank of Canada, 1.833% 31jul2028, CAD
2.16%
ZDB
Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y
18.61%
CMHC, 1.9% 15mar2031, CAD (100)
6.31%
Sun Life Financial, 2.06% 1oct2035, CAD (2020-2)
5.67%
Province of Quebec, 1.5% 1sep2031, CAD (B128)
5.50%
Province of Ontario, 2.05% 2jun2030, CAD (DMTN243)
5.15%
Province of Ontario, 2.65% 2dec2050, CAD (DMTN242)
5.01%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1dec2029, CAD
4.59%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 1.896% 11sep2028, CAD
3.30%
Canada, Bonds 2% 1jun2032, CAD
3.11%
Pembina Pipeline Corporation, 3.31% 1feb2030, CAD (15)
2.66%
Diversification
ESGB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 83 total
24.38%
ZDB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 45 total
59.92%
Characteristics
Compare
ESGB
ZDB
| Provider | BMO | BMO |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg MSCI Canadian Corporate Sustainability SRI Index CAD Index - CAD | FTSE Canada Universe Discount Bond Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 4.08% | 1.80% |
| Meets ESG criteria | Yes | No |
| Inception Date | January 27, 2020 | February 10, 2014 |
Frequently asked questions about ESGB and ZDB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: ESGB or ZDB?
As of November 3, 2026, ESGB has returned 1.12% year to date, while ZDB has returned 0.60%. ESGB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: ESGB or ZDB?
As of November 3, 2026, ESGB manages $90.92 M in assets, while ZDB manages $1.44 B. ZDB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are ESGB and ZDB managed?
ESGB is passively managed by BMO. It tracks the Bloomberg MSCI Canadian Corporate Sustainability SRI Index CAD Index - CAD benchmark. ZDB is passively managed by BMO. It tracks the FTSE Canada Universe Discount Bond Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do ESGB and ZDB emphasize?
ESGB is most exposed to Finance, Utilities, and Telecommunications. ZDB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: ESGB or ZDB?
Year to date, ESGB has seen +$12.47 M in net flows, compared with +$301.43 M for ZDB. ZDB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of ESGB and ZDB compare?
ESGB has an expense ratio of 0.17%, while ZDB has an expense ratio of 0.10%.
What are the top holdings of ESGB and ZDB?
ESGB's largest holdings include Toronto-Dominion Bank, 1.888% 8mar2028, CAD, Bank of Montreal, 3.19% 1mar2028, CAD, and Rogers Communications, 6.75% 9nov2039, CAD. ZDB's top holdings include Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y, CMHC, 1.9% 15mar2031, CAD (100), and Sun Life Financial, 2.06% 1oct2035, CAD (2020-2).
Which ETF is more diversified: ESGB or ZDB?
ESGB holds 83 securities, while ZDB holds 45. On holdings count, ESGB is the more diversified portfolio.
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All content on the ETF Market Canada is for your general information use only, Cboe is not responsible for any use of content by you outside this scope. In particular, the content does not constitute any form of advice, recommendation, representation, endorsement or arrangement by Cboe and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making (or refraining from making) any specific investment or other decisions.