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Compare iShares Balanced Income CorePortfolio Index ETF (XBAL) vs BMO Balanced ETF (ZBAL) to find the best fit for your portfolio. XBAL and ZBAL provide the same top sector exposures: Finance, Technology, and Sovereign. When evaluating costs, XBAL features a management fee (MER) of 0.18%, compared to 0.18% for ZBAL. Performance-wise, XBAL has returned 8.47% year-to-date with +$657 M in net flows, whereas ZBAL is at 8.22% with +$189 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
ZBAL
| AuM | $3,463.69 M | $668.63 M |
| Management Fees | 0.18% | 0.18% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.18% | 0.20% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 11, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XBAL | -1.27% | +0.87% | +8.47% | +11.48% | +49.67% |
ZBAL | -1.19% | +0.68% | +8.22% | +11.26% | +48.69% | |
| Flows | XBAL | +$75 M | +$213 M | +$657 M | +$937 M | +$1,813 M |
ZBAL | +$19 M | +$66 M | +$189 M | +$229 M | +$409 M |
XBAL vs ZBAL exposure
Countries
XBAL
Canada
43.67%
USA
35.10%
Other
21.23%
ZBAL
Canada
42.93%
USA
38.12%
Other
18.94%
Sectors
XBAL
Finance
24.28%
Technology
15.65%
Sovereign
11.66%
Industrials
7.63%
Other
40.78%
ZBAL
Finance
19.26%
Technology
16.74%
Sovereign
14.93%
Municipal
8.83%
Industrials
7.32%
Other
32.93%
As of September 11, 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%
ZBAL
Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y
5.15%
Apple, Inc.
2.09%
NVIDIA Corp.
2.02%
CMHC, 1.9% 15mar2031, CAD (100)
1.92%
Province of Quebec, 1.5% 1sep2031, CAD (B128)
1.53%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1dec2029, CAD
1.45%
Microsoft Corp.
1.43%
Province of Ontario, 2.65% 2dec2050, CAD (DMTN242)
1.43%
Province of Ontario, 2.05% 2jun2030, CAD (DMTN243)
1.42%
Sun Life Financial, 2.06% 1oct2035, CAD (2020-2)
1.39%
Diversification
XBAL
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 21,952 total
10.78%
ZBAL
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 19,892 total
19.82%
Characteristics
Compare
XBAL
ZBAL
| Provider | iShares | 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 | 2.21% | 1.65% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | June 21, 2007 | February 15, 2019 |
Frequently asked questions about XBAL and ZBAL
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XBAL or ZBAL?
As of September 11, 2026, XBAL has returned 8.47% year to date, while ZBAL has returned 8.22%. XBAL is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XBAL or ZBAL?
As of September 11, 2026, XBAL manages $3.46 B in assets, while ZBAL manages $668.63 M. XBAL is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XBAL and ZBAL managed?
XBAL is actively managed by iShares. It does not track an index. ZBAL is actively managed by BMO. It does not track an index.
What sectors do XBAL and ZBAL emphasize?
XBAL is most exposed to Finance, Technology, and Sovereign. ZBAL is most exposed to Finance, Technology, and Sovereign.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XBAL or ZBAL?
Year to date, XBAL has seen +$656.72 M in net flows, compared with +$189.49 M for ZBAL. XBAL has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XBAL and ZBAL compare?
XBAL has an expense ratio of 0.18%, while ZBAL has an expense ratio of 0.20%.
What are the top holdings of XBAL and ZBAL?
XBAL's largest holdings include Apple, Inc., NVIDIA Corp., and Alphabet, Inc.. ZBAL's top holdings include Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y and Apple, Inc..
Which ETF is more diversified: XBAL or ZBAL?
XBAL holds 21822 securities, while ZBAL holds 11658. On holdings count, XBAL is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XBAL and ZBAL
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