VBG
Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF

Full VBG fund page
VS
ZAG
BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF

Full ZAG fund page

Compare Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VBG) vs BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF (ZAG) to find the best fit for your portfolio. VBG provides Sovereign, Banks, and Municipal exposures, while ZAG is primarily weighted in Municipal, Sovereign, and Government agencies. When evaluating costs, VBG features a management fee (MER) of 0.35%, compared to 0.08% for ZAG. Performance-wise, VBG has returned 0.34% year-to-date with +$191 M in net flows, whereas ZAG is at 0.87% with +$106 M. Use the comparison tool below to benchmark these funds across top 10 holdings, yield, sector weights and historical returns.

NAV Performance and Flows

-0.50.00.51.01.5%Mar 24Mar 31Apr 8Apr 15Apr 22

Key Data

Historical performance and flows

As of April 24, 2026
1M3MYTD1Y3Y
Perf.
VBG
+0.72%-0.65%-0.34%-0.93%+8.91%
ZAG
+1.50%+0.07%+0.87%+2.90%+11.01%
Flows
VBG
+$30 M+$139 M+$191 M+$556 M+$821 M
ZAG
+$30 M+$65 M+$106 M+$1,629 M+$6,009 M

VBG vs ZAG exposure

Countries

VBG
France
11.80%
Germany
10.80%
Japan
10.63%
Italy
7.63%
United Kingdom
7.53%
Other
51.62%
ZAG
Canada
100.00%

Sectors

VBG
Sovereign
53.13%
Other
17.41%
Banks
10.85%
Other
18.60%
ZAG
Municipal
29.15%
Sovereign
25.83%
Other
14.55%
Government agencies
9.37%
Other
21.10%
As of April 24, 2026

Top 10 Holdings

VBG
DE000F2Y2E04
1.04%
France, OAT 2.75% 25feb2029, EUR
0.40%
FR001400Z2L7
0.39%
United Kingdom, Gilt 4.375% 7mar2030, GBP
0.37%
United Kingdom, Gilt 4.375% 7mar2028, GBP
0.36%
United Kingdom, Gilt 4.125% 22jul2029, GBP
0.35%
GB00BVP99673
0.32%
United Kingdom, Gilt 3.75% 29jan2038, GBP
0.30%
Italy, BTP 4.1% 01feb2029, EUR
0.28%
Spain, BON 2.4% 31may2028, EUR
0.28%
ZAG
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
4.29%
Canada, Bond 2.25 1jun2029 10Y
3.59%
Province of Quebec, 2.75% 1sep2028, CAD (B124)
2.92%
Canada Housing Trust, 1.1% 15mar2031, CAD (95)
2.65%
Canada, Bond 2.75 1dec2048 30Y
2.46%
Province of Quebec, 3.5% 1dec2048, CAD (B117)
2.41%
Canada, Bonds 4% 1mar2029, CAD
2.27%
Canada Housing Trust, 3.55% 15sep2032, CAD (107)
2.22%
Bank of Montreal, 3.19% 1mar2028, CAD
2.20%
Province of Ontario, 2.9% 2jun2028, CAD (DMTN238)
2.20%

Diversification

VBG
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 6,722 total
4.09%
ZAG
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 86 total
27.20%

Characteristics

Compare
VBG
ZAG
ProviderVanguardBMO
ManagementPassively managedPassively managed
BenchmarkBloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped (CAD Hedged) Total Return Index - CADFTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD
Replication MethodDirect (Physical)
Asset ClassFixed IncomeFixed Income
Dividend PolicyDistributingDistributing
Trailing 12m distribution yield3.53%3.46%
Meets ESG criteriaNoNo
Inception DateJune 30, 2014January 19, 2010

Frequently asked questions about VBG and ZAG

Which ETF has performed better year to date: VBG or ZAG?
As of April 24, 2026, VBG has returned -0.34% year to date, while ZAG has returned 0.87%. ZAG is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VBG or ZAG?
As of April 24, 2026, VBG manages $1.39 B in assets, while ZAG manages $12.30 B. ZAG is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VBG and ZAG managed?
VBG is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex-USD Float Adjusted RIC Capped (CAD Hedged) 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 VBG and ZAG emphasize?
VBG is most exposed to Sovereign, Banks, and Municipal. ZAG is most exposed to Municipal, Sovereign, and Government agencies.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VBG or ZAG?
Year to date, VBG has seen +$190.93 M in net flows, compared with +$105.84 M for ZAG. VBG has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VBG and ZAG compare?
VBG has an expense ratio of 0.40%, while ZAG has an expense ratio of 0.09%.
What are the top holdings of VBG and ZAG?
VBG's largest holdings include France, OAT 2.75% 25feb2029, EUR and United Kingdom, Gilt 4.375% 7mar2030, GBP. ZAG's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD and Canada, Bond 2.25 1jun2029 10Y.
Which ETF is more diversified: VBG or ZAG?
VBG holds 5990 securities, while ZAG holds 75. On holdings count, VBG is the more diversified portfolio.

Recent articles about VBG and ZAG

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