VS
NBI Sustainable Canadian Short Term Bond ETF (NSSB) and BMO Long Corporate Bond Index ETF (ZLC) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that NSSB focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Finance, Utilities, and Sovereign, while ZLC leans towards Utilities, Energy, and Industrials. When evaluating costs, NSSB features a management fee (MER) of 0.25%, compared to 0.3% for ZLC. Performance-wise, NSSB has returned 1.33% year-to-date with +$4 M in net flows, whereas ZLC is at 0.77% with -$171 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
NSSB
ZLC
| AuM | $51.17 M | $275.13 M |
| Management Fees | 0.25% | 0.30% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.28% | 0.33% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 16, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | NSSB | +0.34% | -1.08% | -1.33% | -2.27% | +14.21% |
ZLC | +1.80% | -1.65% | -0.77% | -1.76% | +20.28% | |
| Flows | NSSB | +$1 M | +$2 M | +$4 M | +$6 M | +$6 M |
ZLC | -$0 M | +$0 M | -$171 M | -$168 M | -$13 M |
NSSB vs ZLC exposure
Countries
NSSB
Canada
93.85%
ZLC
Canada
94.89%
Sectors
NSSB
Finance
44.13%
Utilities
14.09%
Sovereign
13.34%
Industrials
10.45%
Telecommunications
7.99%
Other
10.01%
ZLC
Utilities
33.60%
Energy
23.36%
Industrials
23.01%
Telecommunications
10.78%
Other
9.26%
As of October 16, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
NSSB
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1dec2029, CAD
13.34%
Royal Bank of Canada, 3.985% 22jul2031, CAD
3.41%
Bank of America Corporation, 3.615% 16mar2028, CAD (N)
2.82%
407 International, 6.47% 27jul2029, CAD (99A-2)
2.59%
Ontario Power Generation, 3.215% 8apr2030, CAD (7)
2.56%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 5.491% 8sep2028, CAD
2.50%
Hydro One Inc, 3.94% 25aug2032, CAD (61)
2.34%
Bell Canada, 2.2% 29may2028, CAD (M-56)
2.31%
Ivanhoe Cambridge II, 4.994% 2jun2028, CAD (3)
2.26%
Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec, 4.123% 25aug2032, CAD
2.20%
ZLC
Hydro One Inc, 4.85% 30nov2054, CAD (58)
9.11%
CU Inc., 4.085% 2sep2044, CAD
4.87%
Pembina Pipeline Corporation, 5.67% 12jan2054, CAD (22)
4.14%
Amazon.com, 5% 12jun2056, CAD
3.83%
Greater Toronto Airports Authority, 3.26% 1jun2037, CAD (2018-1)
3.76%
Enbridge, 4.24% 27aug2042, CAD
3.62%
TransCanada PipeLines, 4.34% 15oct2049, CAD
3.47%
Greater Toronto Airports Authority, 2.75% 17oct2039, CAD (2019-2)
3.40%
Rogers Communications, 6.75% 9nov2039, CAD
3.11%
Greater Toronto Airports Authority, 5.3% 25feb2041, CAD (2011-1)
2.92%
Diversification
NSSB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 69 total
36.33%
ZLC
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 41 total
42.24%
Characteristics
Compare
NSSB
ZLC
| Provider | National Bank Investments | BMO |
| Management | Actively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | - | FTSE Canada Long Term Corporate Bond TR Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | - | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 0.00% | 4.69% |
| Meets ESG criteria | Yes | No |
| Inception Date | January 20, 2022 | January 19, 2010 |
Frequently asked questions about NSSB and ZLC
Which ETF has performed better year to date: NSSB or ZLC?
As of October 16, 2026, NSSB has returned -1.33% year to date, while ZLC has returned -0.77%. ZLC is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: NSSB or ZLC?
As of October 16, 2026, NSSB manages $51.17 M in assets, while ZLC manages $275.13 M. ZLC is the larger fund by AUM.
How are NSSB and ZLC managed?
NSSB is actively managed by National Bank Investments. It does not track an index. ZLC is passively managed by BMO. It tracks the FTSE Canada Long Term Corporate Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do NSSB and ZLC emphasize?
NSSB is most exposed to Finance, Utilities, and Sovereign. ZLC is most exposed to Utilities, Energy, and Industrials.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: NSSB or ZLC?
Year to date, NSSB has seen +$4.08 M in net flows, compared with -$170.62 M for ZLC. NSSB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of NSSB and ZLC compare?
NSSB has an expense ratio of 0.28%, while ZLC has an expense ratio of 0.33%.
What are the top holdings of NSSB and ZLC?
NSSB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1dec2029, CAD, Royal Bank of Canada, 3.985% 22jul2031, CAD, and Bank of America Corporation, 3.615% 16mar2028, CAD (N). ZLC's top holdings include Hydro One Inc, 4.85% 30nov2054, CAD (58), CU Inc., 4.085% 2sep2044, CAD, and Pembina Pipeline Corporation, 5.67% 12jan2054, CAD (22).
Which ETF is more diversified: NSSB or ZLC?
NSSB holds 69 securities, while ZLC holds 41. On holdings count, NSSB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about NSSB and ZLC
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