VS
iShares Core High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF (XQB) and BMO High Quality Corporate Bond Index ETF (ZQB) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that XQB focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Finance, Sovereign, and Municipal, while ZQB leans towards Finance, Utilities, and Industrials. When evaluating costs, XQB features a management fee (MER) of 0.12%, compared to 0.1% for ZQB. Performance-wise, XQB has returned 0.85% year-to-date with +$23 M in net flows, whereas ZQB is at 0.31% with +$50 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
XQB
ZQB
| AuM | $527.16 M | $91.52 M |
| Management Fees | 0.12% | 0.10% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.13% | 0.11% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 11, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XQB | -1.12% | -2.39% | -0.85% | -0.86% | +12.67% |
ZQB | -0.71% | -1.09% | +0.31% | +1.00% | +17.36% | |
| Flows | XQB | +$4 M | +$6 M | +$23 M | +$46 M | +$211 M |
ZQB | +$2 M | +$11 M | +$50 M | +$54 M | +$70 M |
XQB vs ZQB exposure
Countries
XQB
Canada
93.42%
ZQB
Canada
93.13%
Sectors
XQB
Finance
28.20%
Sovereign
27.73%
Municipal
22.89%
Other
21.18%
ZQB
Finance
77.12%
Utilities
9.63%
Other
13.25%
As of September 11, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XQB
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.33%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.29%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.26%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.15%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.15%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1dec2057, CAD
1.05%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.02%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.01%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
0.93%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2034, CAD
0.92%
ZQB
Bank of Montreal, 3.19% 1mar2028, CAD
4.87%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 4.68% 8jan2029, CAD
3.57%
Bank of Nova Scotia, 3.1% 2feb2028, CAD
3.47%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 5.177% 9apr2034, CAD (D)
2.88%
Bank of Montreal, 4.537% 18dec2028, CAD
2.85%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 4.477% 18jan2028, CAD
2.83%
Bank of Nova Scotia, 4.442% 15nov2035, CAD
2.80%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 3.842% 29may2031, CAD
2.79%
Royal Bank of Canada, 4.371% 1may2037, CAD
2.76%
Royal Bank of Canada, 3.572% 9dec2031, CAD
2.75%
Diversification
XQB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 598 total
11.12%
ZQB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 64 total
31.56%
Characteristics
Compare
XQB
ZQB
| Provider | iShares | BMO |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | FTSE Canada Liquid Universe Capped Bond TR Index - CAD | FTSE Canada 1-10 year A+ Corporate Bond GTR Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.54% | 3.98% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 19, 2009 | February 11, 2020 |
Frequently asked questions about XQB and ZQB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XQB or ZQB?
As of September 11, 2026, XQB has returned -0.85% year to date, while ZQB has returned 0.31%. ZQB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XQB or ZQB?
As of September 11, 2026, XQB manages $527.16 M in assets, while ZQB manages $91.52 M. XQB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XQB and ZQB managed?
XQB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada Liquid Universe Capped Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark. ZQB is passively managed by BMO. It tracks the FTSE Canada 1-10 year A+ Corporate Bond GTR Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XQB and ZQB emphasize?
XQB is most exposed to Finance, Sovereign, and Municipal. ZQB is most exposed to Finance, Utilities, and Industrials.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XQB or ZQB?
Year to date, XQB has seen +$22.63 M in net flows, compared with +$49.74 M for ZQB. ZQB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XQB and ZQB compare?
XQB has an expense ratio of 0.13%, while ZQB has an expense ratio of 0.11%.
What are the top holdings of XQB and ZQB?
XQB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD. ZQB's top holdings include Bank of Montreal, 3.19% 1mar2028, CAD, Toronto-Dominion Bank, 4.68% 8jan2029, CAD, and Bank of Nova Scotia, 3.1% 2feb2028, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: XQB or ZQB?
XQB holds 598 securities, while ZQB holds 64. On holdings count, XQB 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.