VS
Compare iShares Balanced Income CorePortfolio Index ETF (XBAL) vs BMO Balanced ETF (ZBAL) to find the best fit for your portfolio. XBAL provides Information Technology, Financials, and Sovereign exposures, while ZBAL is primarily weighted in Sovereign, Information Technology, and Financials. When evaluating costs, XBAL features a management fee (MER) of 0.18%, compared to 0.18% for ZBAL. Performance-wise, XBAL has returned 3.82% year-to-date with +$317 M in net flows, whereas ZBAL is at 3.75% 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
XBAL
ZBAL
| AuM | $3,012.96 M | $542.02 M |
| Management Fees | 0.18% | 0.18% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.19% | 0.20% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of April 27, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XBAL | +5.50% | +1.40% | +3.82% | +19.10% | +45.09% |
ZBAL | +5.23% | +1.64% | +3.75% | +19.16% | +43.33% | |
| Flows | XBAL | +$42 M | +$220 M | +$317 M | +$802 M | +$1,525 M |
ZBAL | +$20 M | +$52 M | +$84 M | +$174 M | +$314 M |
XBAL vs ZBAL exposure
Countries
XBAL
Canada
46.26%
USA
33.16%
Other
20.58%
ZBAL
Canada
43.59%
USA
39.45%
Other
16.96%
Sectors
XBAL
Other
12.36%
Information Technology
11.62%
Financials
11.19%
Sovereign
9.15%
Other
55.68%
ZBAL
Sovereign
14.03%
Information Technology
12.57%
Financials
10.53%
Municipal
9.46%
Other
8.26%
Other
45.15%
As of April 27, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XBAL
NVIDIA
1.77%
APPLE
1.55%
MICROSOFT-T
1.14%
ROYAL BK CANADA
1.04%
AMAZON.COM INC
0.85%
TORONTO DOMINION
0.72%
ALPHABET INC-CL
0.70%
SHOPIFY SUBORDINATE VOTING
0.67%
BROADCOM LIMITED
0.61%
ALPHABET INC-CL
0.56%
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
XBAL
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 21,721 total
9.62%
ZBAL
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 19,770 total
19.77%
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 | 2.18% | 1.81% |
| 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 April 27, 2026, XBAL has returned 3.82% year to date, while ZBAL has returned 3.75%. XBAL is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XBAL or ZBAL?
As of April 27, 2026, XBAL manages $3.01 B in assets, while ZBAL manages $542.02 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 Information Technology, Financials, and Sovereign. ZBAL is most exposed to Sovereign, Information Technology, and Financials.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XBAL or ZBAL?
Year to date, XBAL has seen +$317.31 M in net flows, compared with +$84.37 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 0.19%, while ZBAL has an expense ratio of 0.20%.
What are the top holdings of XBAL and ZBAL?
XBAL'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: XBAL or ZBAL?
XBAL holds 18569 securities, while ZBAL holds 10487. On holdings count, XBAL is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XBAL and ZBAL
The ETF Market Canada is brought to you by Cboe in partnership with Trackinsight SA who is providing all the data, analysis and editorial content on this site. Unless explicitly stated as such, any information that you receive is not real-time.
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.
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.