Compare Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio (VBAL) vs BMO Balanced ETF (ZBAL) to find the best fit for your portfolio. VBAL and ZBAL provide the same top sector exposures: Sovereign, Information Technology, and Financials. When evaluating costs, VBAL features a management fee (MER) of 0.22%, compared to 0.18% for ZBAL. Performance-wise, VBAL has returned 4.19% year-to-date with +$556 M in net flows, whereas ZBAL is at 4.18% with +$84 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
VBAL
ZBAL
| AuM | $5,134.90 M | $544.29 M |
| Management Fees | 0.22% | 0.18% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.24% | 0.20% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of April 24, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VBAL | +5.14% | +1.73% | +4.19% | +20.15% | +47.10% |
ZBAL | +5.16% | +1.83% | +4.18% | +20.11% | +44.50% | |
| Flows | VBAL | +$119 M | +$439 M | +$556 M | +$1,150 M | +$1,753 M |
ZBAL | +$21 M | +$67 M | +$84 M | +$173 M | +$314 M |
VBAL vs ZBAL exposure
Countries
VBAL
Canada
42.17%
USA
33.29%
Other
24.53%
ZBAL
Canada
43.59%
USA
39.45%
Other
16.96%
Sectors
VBAL
Other
13.62%
Sovereign
12.96%
Information Technology
11.84%
Financials
11.34%
Municipal
7.12%
Other
43.13%
ZBAL
Sovereign
14.03%
Information Technology
12.57%
Financials
10.53%
Municipal
9.46%
Other
8.26%
Other
45.15%
As of April 24, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
VBAL
NVIDIA
1.68%
APPLE
1.56%
ROYAL BK CANADA
1.28%
MICROSOFT-T
1.15%
TORONTO DOMINION
0.89%
AMAZON.COM INC
0.84%
SHOPIFY SUBORDINATE VOTING
0.82%
ALPHABET INC-CL
0.70%
ENBRIDGE
0.67%
BROADCOM LIMITED
0.61%
ZBAL
Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y
5.32%
CMHC, 1.9% 15mar2031, CAD (100)
1.99%
NVIDIA
1.94%
APPLE
1.75%
Province of Ontario, 2.05% 2jun2030, CAD (DMTN243)
1.66%
Province of Ontario, 2.65% 2dec2050, CAD (DMTN242)
1.63%
Province of Quebec, 1.5% 1sep2031, CAD (B128)
1.58%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1dec2029, CAD
1.50%
MICROSOFT-T
1.28%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 1.896% 11sep2028, CAD
1.12%
Diversification
VBAL
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 33,845 total
10.19%
ZBAL
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 19,770 total
19.77%
Characteristics
Compare
VBAL
ZBAL
| Provider | Vanguard | BMO |
| Management | Actively managed | Actively managed |
| Benchmark | - | - |
| Replication Method | ||
| Asset Class | Equity, Fixed Income | Equity, Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 2.13% | 1.80% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | February 1, 2018 | February 15, 2019 |
Frequently asked questions about VBAL and ZBAL
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VBAL or ZBAL?
As of April 24, 2026, VBAL has returned 4.19% year to date, while ZBAL has returned 4.18%. VBAL is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VBAL or ZBAL?
As of April 24, 2026, VBAL manages $5.13 B in assets, while ZBAL manages $544.29 M. VBAL is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VBAL and ZBAL managed?
VBAL is actively managed by Vanguard. It does not track an index. ZBAL is actively managed by BMO. It does not track an index.
What sectors do VBAL and ZBAL emphasize?
VBAL is most exposed to Sovereign, Information Technology, and Financials. ZBAL is most exposed to Sovereign, Information Technology, and Financials.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VBAL or ZBAL?
Year to date, VBAL has seen +$556.31 M in net flows, compared with +$84.37 M for ZBAL. VBAL has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VBAL and ZBAL compare?
VBAL has an expense ratio of 0.24%, while ZBAL has an expense ratio of 0.20%.
What are the top holdings of VBAL and ZBAL?
VBAL's largest holdings include NVIDIA and APPLE. ZBAL's top holdings include Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y and CMHC, 1.9% 15mar2031, CAD (100).
Which ETF is more diversified: VBAL or ZBAL?
VBAL holds 24963 securities, while ZBAL holds 10487. On holdings count, VBAL is the more diversified portfolio.
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