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Compare iShares Balanced Income CorePortfolio Index ETF (XBAL) vs iShares ESG Balanced ETF Portfolio (GBAL) to find the best fit for your portfolio. XBAL and GBAL provide the same top sector exposures: Finance, Technology, and Sovereign. When evaluating costs, XBAL features a management fee (MER) of 0.18%, compared to 0.22% for GBAL. Performance-wise, XBAL has returned 8.99% year-to-date with +$647 M in net flows, whereas GBAL is at 9.85% with +$74 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
XBAL
GBAL
| AuM | $3,470.33 M | $285.34 M |
| Management Fees | 0.18% | 0.22% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.19% | 0.24% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 2, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XBAL | -1.15% | +0.67% | +8.99% | +14.97% | +49.82% |
GBAL | -1.43% | +0.26% | +9.85% | +15.60% | +56.29% | |
| Flows | XBAL | +$76 M | +$235 M | +$647 M | +$941 M | +$1,806 M |
GBAL | +$12 M | +$30 M | +$74 M | +$100 M | +$189 M |
XBAL vs GBAL exposure
Countries
XBAL
Canada
43.63%
USA
34.80%
Other
21.58%
GBAL
Canada
52.79%
USA
29.61%
Other
17.60%
Sectors
XBAL
Finance
24.28%
Technology
15.66%
Sovereign
11.66%
Industrials
7.53%
Other
40.88%
GBAL
Finance
33.62%
Technology
18.27%
Sovereign
11.85%
Municipal
9.18%
Other
27.09%
As of September 2, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XBAL
Apple, Inc.
1.89%
NVIDIA Corp.
1.82%
Microsoft Corp.
1.29%
Royal Bank of Canada
1.28%
Amazon.com, Inc.
0.89%
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
0.87%
Alphabet, Inc.
0.76%
Broadcom Inc.
0.71%
Shopify, Inc.
0.65%
Alphabet, Inc.
0.61%
GBAL
NVIDIA Corp.
2.92%
Royal Bank of Canada
2.01%
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
1.95%
Broadcom Inc.
1.85%
Shopify, Inc.
1.50%
Bank of Montreal
1.23%
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
1.08%
The Bank of Nova Scotia
1.08%
Micron Technology, Inc.
1.04%
Canada, Bond 2 1jun2028 10Y
0.95%
Diversification
XBAL
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 21,952 total
10.78%
GBAL
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,382 total
15.60%
Characteristics
Compare
XBAL
GBAL
| Provider | iShares | iShares |
| Management | Actively managed | Actively managed |
| Benchmark | - | - |
| Replication Method | ||
| Asset Class | Equity, Fixed Income | Equity, Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 2.20% | 1.69% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | Yes |
| Inception Date | June 21, 2007 | September 10, 2020 |
Frequently asked questions about XBAL and GBAL
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XBAL or GBAL?
As of September 2, 2026, XBAL has returned 8.99% year to date, while GBAL has returned 9.85%. GBAL is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XBAL or GBAL?
As of September 2, 2026, XBAL manages $3.47 B in assets, while GBAL manages $285.34 M. XBAL is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XBAL and GBAL managed?
XBAL is actively managed by iShares. It does not track an index. GBAL is actively managed by iShares. It does not track an index.
What sectors do XBAL and GBAL emphasize?
XBAL is most exposed to Finance, Technology, and Sovereign. GBAL is most exposed to Finance, Technology, and Sovereign.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XBAL or GBAL?
Year to date, XBAL has seen +$646.92 M in net flows, compared with +$73.71 M for GBAL. XBAL has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XBAL and GBAL compare?
XBAL has an expense ratio of 0.19%, while GBAL has an expense ratio of 0.24%.
What are the top holdings of XBAL and GBAL?
XBAL's largest holdings include Apple, Inc., NVIDIA Corp., and Alphabet, Inc.. GBAL's top holdings include NVIDIA Corp., Royal Bank of Canada, and The Toronto-Dominion Bank.
Which ETF is more diversified: XBAL or GBAL?
XBAL holds 21780 securities, while GBAL holds 1375. On holdings count, XBAL is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XBAL and GBAL
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