VS
Compare iShares ESG Balanced ETF Portfolio (GBAL) vs Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio (VBAL) to find the best fit for your portfolio. GBAL and VBAL provide the same top sector exposures: Finance, Technology, and Sovereign. When evaluating costs, GBAL features a management fee (MER) of 0.22%, compared to 0.22% for VBAL. Performance-wise, GBAL has returned 10.43% year-to-date with +$92 M in net flows, whereas VBAL is at 8.85% with +$1 B. 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
VBAL
| AuM | $304.16 M | $6,036.04 M |
| Management Fees | 0.22% | 0.22% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.24% | 0.24% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 29, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | GBAL | -0.36% | +2.14% | +10.43% | +10.24% | +65.35% |
VBAL | +0.16% | +1.74% | +8.85% | +8.96% | +58.34% | |
| Flows | GBAL | +$10 M | +$31 M | +$92 M | +$108 M | +$206 M |
VBAL | +$122 M | +$328 M | +$1,283 M | +$1,547 M | +$2,383 M |
GBAL vs VBAL exposure
Countries
GBAL
Canada
51.71%
USA
30.16%
Other
18.13%
VBAL
Canada
39.67%
USA
34.33%
Other
25.99%
Sectors
GBAL
Finance
32.90%
Technology
20.12%
Sovereign
11.47%
Municipal
8.91%
Other
26.59%
VBAL
Finance
20.47%
Technology
17.01%
Sovereign
16.27%
Municipal
7.20%
Other
39.05%
As of October 29, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
GBAL
CA46437Q1081
27.07%
CA46436U1003
18.82%
CA46438D1069
15.69%
CA46432E1007
12.61%
CA46431U1057
9.61%
CA45033L1094
8.70%
CA46436Y1025
4.73%
US4642874329
2.68%
VBAL
NVIDIA Corp.
1.99%
Apple, Inc.
1.85%
Microsoft Corp.
1.45%
Royal Bank of Canada
1.43%
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
1.00%
Shopify, Inc.
0.94%
Amazon.com, Inc.
0.92%
Alphabet, Inc.
0.77%
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
0.73%
Broadcom Inc.
0.64%
Diversification
GBAL
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,365 total
99.91%
VBAL
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 33,787 total
11.73%
Characteristics
Compare
GBAL
VBAL
| Provider | iShares | Vanguard |
| 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% | 2.14% |
| Meets ESG criteria | Yes | No |
| Inception Date | September 10, 2020 | February 1, 2018 |
Frequently asked questions about GBAL and VBAL
Which ETF has performed better year to date: GBAL or VBAL?
As of October 29, 2026, GBAL has returned 10.43% year to date, while VBAL has returned 8.85%. GBAL is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: GBAL or VBAL?
As of October 29, 2026, GBAL manages $304.16 M in assets, while VBAL manages $6.04 B. VBAL is the larger fund by AUM.
How are GBAL and VBAL managed?
GBAL is actively managed by iShares. It does not track an index. VBAL is actively managed by Vanguard. It does not track an index.
Which ETF is more diversified: GBAL or VBAL?
GBAL holds 1 securities, while VBAL holds 28110. On holdings count, VBAL is the more diversified portfolio.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: GBAL or VBAL?
Year to date, GBAL has seen +$92.19 M in net flows, compared with +$1,283.06 M for VBAL. VBAL has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of GBAL and VBAL compare?
GBAL has an expense ratio of 0.24%, while VBAL has an expense ratio of 0.24%.
What sectors do GBAL and VBAL emphasize?
GBAL is most exposed to Finance, Technology, and Sovereign. VBAL is most exposed to Finance, Technology, and Sovereign.
Recent articles about GBAL and VBAL
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