VS
Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VBU) and BMO High Yield US Corporate Bond Index ETF (ZJK.U) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that VBU focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Sovereign, Finance, and Industrials, while ZJK.U leans towards Finance, Industrials, and Energy. When evaluating costs, VBU features a management fee (MER) of 0.2%, compared to 0.55% for ZJK.U. Performance-wise, VBU has returned 4.07% year-to-date with +$381 M in net flows, whereas ZJK.U is at 0.32% with +$1 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
VBU
ZJK.U
| AuM | $1,866.23 M | $11.04 M |
| Management Fees | 0.20% | 0.55% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.23% | 0.61% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.53% | -0.53% |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 2, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VBU | -2.51% | -3.82% | -4.07% | -4.04% | +9.74% |
ZJK.U | -2.45% | -2.07% | -0.32% | +0.95% | +25.04% | |
| Flows | VBU | +$29 M | +$88 M | +$381 M | +$542 M | +$1,085 M |
ZJK.U | +$0 M | +$0 M | +$1 M | +$1 M | +$6 M |
VBU vs ZJK.U exposure
Countries
VBU
USA
75.17%
Other
18.96%
ZJK.U
USA
87.43%
Other
12.57%
Sectors
VBU
Sovereign
47.53%
Other
18.96%
Finance
10.71%
Industrials
7.30%
Other
15.51%
ZJK.U
Finance
18.63%
Industrials
11.92%
Energy
10.69%
Consumer Services
9.29%
Non-Energy Materials
8.56%
Business Services
7.74%
Other
33.17%
As of October 2, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
VBU
USA, Notes 3.5% 31jan2028, USD (U-2028)
0.47%
USA, Notes 4.25% 15nov2034, USD (F-2034)
0.41%
USA, Notes 4.375% 15may2034, USD (C-2034)
0.41%
USA, Notes 3.375% 30nov2027, USD (BL-2027)
0.40%
USA, Notes 4.625% 15feb2035, USD (B-2035)
0.40%
USA, Notes 3.875% 15aug2034, USD (E-2034)
0.40%
USA, Notes 4% 15feb2034, USD (B-2034)
0.39%
USA, Notes 4.125% 15feb2036, USD (B-2036)
0.39%
USA, Notes 4.25% 15aug2035, USD (E-2035)
0.38%
USA, Notes 4.5% 15nov2033, USD (F-2033)
0.38%
ZJK.U
1261229 B.C., 10% 15apr2032, USD
0.65%
EchoStar, 10.75% 30nov2029, USD
0.61%
Meridian Arc HoldCo, 6.25% 30apr2031, USD
0.57%
PR RNO Property Owner 1, 6.5% 1may2031, USD
0.45%
Quikrete Holdings, 6.375% 1mar2032, USD
0.41%
Cloud Software Group, 6.5% 31mar2029, USD
0.41%
Cloud Software Group, 9% 30sep2029, USD
0.40%
SV RNO Property Owner 1, 5.875% 1mar2031, USD
0.38%
Galaxy Helios Data Center II, 9.875% 1aug2031, USD
0.37%
Nexstar Media, 6.5% 15sep2033, USD
0.37%
Diversification
VBU
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 15,072 total
4.04%
ZJK.U
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,056 total
4.62%
Characteristics
Compare
VBU
ZJK.U
| Provider | Vanguard | BMO |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Bond (CAD Hedged) Total Return Index - CAD | Bloomberg U.S. High Yield Very Liquid Net Return Total Return Index - USD |
| Replication Method | Other | Other |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.84% | 6.70% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | June 30, 2014 | February 12, 2021 |
Frequently asked questions about VBU and ZJK.U
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VBU or ZJK.U?
As of October 2, 2026, VBU has returned -4.07% year to date, while ZJK.U has returned -0.32%. ZJK.U is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VBU or ZJK.U?
As of October 2, 2026, VBU manages $1.87 B in assets, while ZJK.U manages $11.04 M. VBU is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VBU and ZJK.U managed?
VBU is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Bond (CAD Hedged) Total Return Index - CAD benchmark. ZJK.U is passively managed by BMO. It tracks the Bloomberg U.S. High Yield Very Liquid Net Return Total Return Index - USD benchmark.
What sectors do VBU and ZJK.U emphasize?
VBU is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Industrials. ZJK.U is most exposed to Finance, Industrials, and Energy.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VBU or ZJK.U?
Year to date, VBU has seen +$381.12 M in net flows, compared with +$1.23 M for ZJK.U. VBU has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VBU and ZJK.U compare?
VBU has an expense ratio of 0.23%, while ZJK.U has an expense ratio of 0.61%.
What are the top holdings of VBU and ZJK.U?
VBU's largest holdings include USA, Notes 3.5% 31jan2028, USD (U-2028) and USA, Notes 4.25% 15nov2034, USD (F-2034). ZJK.U's top holdings include 1261229 B.C., 10% 15apr2032, USD and EchoStar, 10.75% 30nov2029, USD.
Which ETF is more diversified: VBU or ZJK.U?
VBU holds 9484 securities, while ZJK.U holds 1047. On holdings count, VBU 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.