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Compare iShares ESG Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (XSAB) vs BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF (ZAG) to find the best fit for your portfolio. XSAB and ZAG provide the same top sector exposures: Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, XSAB features a management fee (MER) of 0.15%, compared to 0.08% for ZAG. Performance-wise, XSAB has returned 0.03% year-to-date with +$39 M in net flows, whereas ZAG is at 0.14% with +$1 B. 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
XSAB
ZAG
| AuM | $249.42 M | $13,200.12 M |
| Management Fees | 0.15% | 0.08% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.17% | 0.09% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 28, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XSAB | +0.80% | -1.23% | +0.03% | -1.45% | +14.50% |
ZAG | +0.78% | -1.22% | +0.14% | -1.30% | +15.25% | |
| Flows | XSAB | +$12 M | +$12 M | +$39 M | +$50 M | +$131 M |
ZAG | +$127 M | +$245 M | +$1,318 M | +$1,984 M | +$7,370 M |
XSAB vs ZAG exposure
Countries
XSAB
Canada
94.58%
ZAG
Canada
95.65%
Sectors
XSAB
Sovereign
34.69%
Municipal
27.97%
Finance
14.40%
Government Agencies
7.35%
Other
15.59%
ZAG
Sovereign
34.55%
Municipal
30.89%
Finance
11.07%
Government Agencies
9.38%
Other
14.10%
As of October 28, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XSAB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.41%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.40%
Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y
1.36%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.34%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.34%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
1.32%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.29%
Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y
1.22%
Canada, Bond 2 1jan2051 30Y
1.19%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.13%
ZAG
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
4.28%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1nov2027, CAD
3.69%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1feb2028, CAD
2.94%
Canada, Bond 2.25 1jun2029 10Y
2.90%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1dec2055, CAD
2.84%
Canada Housing Trust, 1.1% 15mar2031, CAD (95)
2.68%
Province of Quebec, 3.5% 1dec2048, CAD (B117)
2.38%
Bank of Montreal, 3.19% 1mar2028, CAD
2.22%
Province of Quebec, 2.75% 1sep2028, CAD (B124)
2.21%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
2.19%
Diversification
XSAB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 743 total
12.98%
ZAG
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 86 total
28.34%
Characteristics
Compare
XSAB
ZAG
| Provider | iShares | BMO |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg MSCI Canadian Aggregate ESG Focus Index - USD | FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.40% | 3.47% |
| Meets ESG criteria | Yes | No |
| Inception Date | March 18, 2019 | January 19, 2010 |
Frequently asked questions about XSAB and ZAG
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XSAB or ZAG?
As of October 28, 2026, XSAB has returned 0.03% year to date, while ZAG has returned 0.14%. ZAG is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XSAB or ZAG?
As of October 28, 2026, XSAB manages $249.42 M in assets, while ZAG manages $13.20 B. ZAG is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XSAB and ZAG managed?
XSAB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the Bloomberg MSCI Canadian Aggregate ESG Focus Index - USD benchmark. ZAG is passively managed by BMO. It tracks the FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XSAB and ZAG emphasize?
XSAB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. ZAG is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XSAB or ZAG?
Year to date, XSAB has seen +$39.41 M in net flows, compared with +$1,318.09 M for ZAG. ZAG has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XSAB and ZAG compare?
XSAB has an expense ratio of 0.17%, while ZAG has an expense ratio of 0.09%.
What are the top holdings of XSAB and ZAG?
XSAB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, and Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y. ZAG's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1nov2027, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1feb2028, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: XSAB or ZAG?
XSAB holds 742 securities, while ZAG holds 86. On holdings count, XSAB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XSAB and ZAG
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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.