VS
Compare Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB) vs BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF (ZAG) to find the best fit for your portfolio. VAB and ZAG provide the same top sector exposures: Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, VAB features a management fee (MER) of 0.08%, compared to 0.08% for ZAG. Performance-wise, VAB has returned 0.93% year-to-date with +$1 B in net flows, whereas ZAG is at 0.87% 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
VAB
ZAG
| AuM | $7,502.96 M | $13,101.17 M |
| Management Fees | 0.08% | 0.08% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.09% | 0.09% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.38% | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 10, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VAB | -1.13% | -2.08% | -0.93% | -0.96% | +13.89% |
ZAG | -1.12% | -2.03% | -0.87% | -0.86% | +12.48% | |
| Flows | VAB | +$135 M | +$355 M | +$1,204 M | +$1,959 M | +$3,391 M |
ZAG | +$88 M | +$706 M | +$1,316 M | +$2,421 M | +$7,243 M |
VAB vs ZAG exposure
Countries
VAB
Canada
96.44%
ZAG
Canada
96.36%
Sectors
VAB
Sovereign
34.45%
Municipal
30.47%
Finance
13.10%
Government Agencies
7.29%
Other
14.69%
ZAG
Sovereign
34.56%
Municipal
31.38%
Finance
11.84%
Government Agencies
9.39%
Other
12.84%
As of September 10, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
VAB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.82%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.63%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.56%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.51%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.44%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.22%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.18%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
1.16%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
1.14%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1dec2057, CAD
1.13%
ZAG
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
4.29%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1nov2027, CAD
3.68%
Canada, Bond 2.25 1jun2029 10Y
2.89%
Canada Housing Trust, 1.1% 15mar2031, CAD (95)
2.68%
Province of Quebec, 3.5% 1dec2048, CAD (B117)
2.41%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1dec2055, CAD
2.32%
Canada Housing Trust, 3.55% 15sep2032, CAD (107)
2.23%
Bank of Montreal, 3.19% 1mar2028, CAD
2.21%
Province of Quebec, 2.75% 1sep2028, CAD (B124)
2.20%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1feb2028, CAD
2.19%
Diversification
VAB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,305 total
13.78%
ZAG
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 85 total
27.10%
Characteristics
Compare
VAB
ZAG
| Provider | Vanguard | BMO |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD | FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.48% | 3.51% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 30, 2011 | January 19, 2010 |
Frequently asked questions about VAB and ZAG
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VAB or ZAG?
As of September 10, 2026, VAB has returned -0.93% year to date, while ZAG has returned -0.87%. ZAG is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VAB or ZAG?
As of September 10, 2026, VAB manages $7.50 B in assets, while ZAG manages $13.10 B. ZAG is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VAB and ZAG managed?
VAB is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD benchmark. ZAG is passively managed by BMO. It tracks the FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do VAB and ZAG emphasize?
VAB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. ZAG is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VAB or ZAG?
Year to date, VAB has seen +$1,203.84 M in net flows, compared with +$1,316.46 M for ZAG. ZAG has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VAB and ZAG compare?
VAB has an expense ratio of 0.09%, while ZAG has an expense ratio of 0.09%.
What are the top holdings of VAB and ZAG?
VAB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD. ZAG's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1nov2027, CAD, and Canada, Bond 2.25 1jun2029 10Y.
Which ETF is more diversified: VAB or ZAG?
VAB holds 1305 securities, while ZAG holds 85. On holdings count, VAB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about VAB and ZAG
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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.