VS
iShares ESG Growth ETF Portfolio (GGRO) and iShares ESG Balanced ETF Portfolio (GBAL) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that GGRO focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Finance, Technology, and Sovereign, while GBAL leans towards Finance, Technology, and Sovereign. When evaluating costs, GGRO features a management fee (MER) of 0.22%, compared to 0.22% for GBAL. Performance-wise, GGRO has returned 13.69% year-to-date with +$42 M in net flows, whereas GBAL is at 10.53% with +$74 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
GGRO
GBAL
| AuM | $276.20 M | $287.72 M |
| Management Fees | 0.22% | 0.22% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.24% | 0.24% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 3, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | GGRO | -0.99% | +1.85% | +13.69% | +20.37% | +72.87% |
GBAL | -0.83% | +1.38% | +10.53% | +15.91% | +57.25% | |
| Flows | GGRO | +$7 M | +$18 M | +$42 M | +$57 M | +$144 M |
GBAL | +$12 M | +$29 M | +$74 M | +$101 M | +$189 M |
GGRO vs GBAL exposure
Countries
GGRO
Canada
40.21%
USA
37.34%
Other
22.45%
GBAL
Canada
52.79%
USA
29.61%
Other
17.60%
Sectors
GGRO
Finance
33.25%
Technology
24.51%
Sovereign
7.30%
Other
34.94%
GBAL
Finance
33.62%
Technology
18.27%
Sovereign
11.85%
Municipal
9.18%
Other
27.09%
As of September 3, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
GGRO
NVIDIA Corp.
4.04%
Royal Bank of Canada
2.59%
Broadcom Inc.
2.55%
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
2.51%
Shopify, Inc.
1.93%
Bank of Montreal
1.58%
Micron Technology, Inc.
1.44%
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
1.40%
The Bank of Nova Scotia
1.39%
ASML Holding NV
1.20%
GBAL
NVIDIA Corp.
2.92%
Royal Bank of Canada
2.01%
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
1.95%
Broadcom Inc.
1.85%
Shopify, Inc.
1.50%
Bank of Montreal
1.23%
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
1.08%
The Bank of Nova Scotia
1.08%
Micron Technology, Inc.
1.04%
Canada, Bond 2 1jun2028 10Y
0.95%
Diversification
GGRO
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,382 total
20.66%
GBAL
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,382 total
15.60%
Characteristics
Compare
GGRO
GBAL
| 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 | 1.40% | 1.68% |
| Meets ESG criteria | Yes | Yes |
| Inception Date | September 2, 2020 | September 10, 2020 |
Frequently asked questions about GGRO and GBAL
Which ETF has performed better year to date: GGRO or GBAL?
As of September 3, 2026, GGRO has returned 13.69% year to date, while GBAL has returned 10.53%. GGRO is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: GGRO or GBAL?
As of September 3, 2026, GGRO manages $276.20 M in assets, while GBAL manages $287.72 M. GBAL is the larger fund by AUM.
How are GGRO and GBAL managed?
GGRO is actively managed by iShares. It does not track an index. GBAL is actively managed by iShares. It does not track an index.
What sectors do GGRO and GBAL emphasize?
GGRO is most exposed to Finance, Technology, and Sovereign. GBAL is most exposed to Finance, Technology, and Sovereign.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: GGRO or GBAL?
Year to date, GGRO has seen +$42.29 M in net flows, compared with +$74.34 M for GBAL. GBAL has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of GGRO and GBAL compare?
GGRO has an expense ratio of 0.24%, while GBAL has an expense ratio of 0.24%.
What are the top holdings of GGRO and GBAL?
GGRO's largest holdings include NVIDIA Corp., Royal Bank of Canada, and Broadcom Inc.. GBAL's top holdings include NVIDIA Corp., Royal Bank of Canada, and The Toronto-Dominion Bank.
Which ETF is more diversified: GGRO or GBAL?
GGRO holds 1375 securities, while GBAL holds 1375. On holdings count, GGRO 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.