VS
iShares ESG Balanced ETF Portfolio (GBAL) and iShares ESG Growth ETF Portfolio (GGRO) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that GBAL focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Finance, Sovereign, and Municipal, while GGRO leans towards Finance, Sovereign, and Technology. When evaluating costs, GBAL features a management fee (MER) of 0.22%, compared to 0.22% for GGRO. Performance-wise, GBAL has returned 10.39% year-to-date with +$92 M in net flows, whereas GGRO is at 13.61% with +$50 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
GBAL
GGRO
| AuM | $303.41 M | $283.05 M |
| Management Fees | 0.22% | 0.22% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.24% | 0.24% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 28, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | GBAL | -0.36% | +0.73% | +10.39% | +9.66% | +65.28% |
GGRO | -0.67% | +1.22% | +13.61% | +12.73% | +84.31% | |
| Flows | GBAL | +$10 M | +$31 M | +$92 M | +$107 M | +$205 M |
GGRO | +$6 M | +$17 M | +$50 M | +$56 M | +$152 M |
GBAL vs GGRO exposure
Countries
GBAL
Canada
52.48%
Other
26.83%
Other
20.70%
GGRO
Canada
40.23%
Other
36.64%
Other
23.13%
Sectors
GBAL
Finance
27.95%
Other
26.83%
Sovereign
11.65%
Municipal
9.01%
Other
24.56%
GGRO
Other
36.64%
Finance
25.53%
Sovereign
7.14%
Other
30.69%
As of October 28, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
GBAL
CA46437Q1081
26.31%
CA46436U1003
19.09%
CA46438D1069
15.56%
CA46432E1007
12.71%
CA46431U1057
9.71%
CA45033L1094
8.76%
CA46436Y1025
4.76%
US4642874329
2.76%
GGRO
CA46437Q1081
36.26%
CA46436U1003
24.54%
CA46438D1069
20.00%
CA46432E1007
6.63%
CA46431U1057
6.62%
CA45033L1094
1.89%
US4642874329
1.89%
CA46436Y1025
1.88%
Diversification
GBAL
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,091 total
99.67%
GGRO
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,091 total
99.71%
Characteristics
Compare
GBAL
GGRO
| Provider | iShares | iShares |
| Management | Actively managed | Actively managed |
| Benchmark | - | - |
| Replication Method | - | - |
| Asset Class | Equity, Fixed Income | Equity, Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 1.58% | 1.50% |
| Meets ESG criteria | Yes | Yes |
| Inception Date | September 10, 2020 | September 2, 2020 |
Frequently asked questions about GBAL and GGRO
Which ETF has performed better year to date: GBAL or GGRO?
As of October 28, 2026, GBAL has returned 10.39% year to date, while GGRO has returned 13.61%. GGRO is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: GBAL or GGRO?
As of October 28, 2026, GBAL manages $303.41 M in assets, while GGRO manages $283.05 M. GBAL is the larger fund by AUM.
How are GBAL and GGRO managed?
GBAL is actively managed by iShares. It does not track an index. GGRO is actively managed by iShares. It does not track an index.
Which ETF is more diversified: GBAL or GGRO?
GBAL holds 1 securities, while GGRO holds 1. On holdings count, GBAL is the more diversified portfolio.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: GBAL or GGRO?
Year to date, GBAL has seen +$91.56 M in net flows, compared with +$50.15 M for GGRO. GBAL has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of GBAL and GGRO compare?
GBAL has an expense ratio of 0.24%, while GGRO has an expense ratio of 0.24%.
What sectors do GBAL and GGRO emphasize?
GBAL is most exposed to Finance, Sovereign, and Municipal. GGRO is most exposed to Finance, Sovereign, and Technology.
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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.