VS
Compare iShares Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF (XSB) vs BMO Short-Term Bond Index ETF (ZSB) to find the best fit for your portfolio. XSB and ZSB provide the same top sector exposures: Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal. When evaluating costs, XSB features a management fee (MER) of 0.09%, compared to 0.09% for ZSB. Performance-wise, XSB has returned 0.95% year-to-date with +$1 B in net flows, whereas ZSB is at 0.96% with +$64 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
XSB
ZSB
| AuM | $4,536.23 M | $218.79 M |
| Management Fees | 0.09% | 0.09% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.10% | 0.10% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 27, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XSB | +0.47% | -0.21% | +0.95% | +0.74% | +14.19% |
ZSB | +0.48% | -0.21% | +0.96% | +0.76% | +14.20% | |
| Flows | XSB | -$34 M | +$268 M | +$1,036 M | +$1,268 M | +$2,287 M |
ZSB | +$37 M | +$36 M | +$64 M | +$74 M | +$77 M |
XSB vs ZSB exposure
Countries
XSB
Canada
96.30%
ZSB
Canada
97.94%
Sectors
XSB
Sovereign
37.37%
Finance
24.58%
Municipal
15.20%
Government Agencies
10.03%
Other
12.82%
ZSB
Sovereign
39.23%
Finance
19.87%
Municipal
15.92%
Government Agencies
13.47%
Other
11.51%
As of October 27, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XSB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
3.54%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
3.52%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
2.81%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
2.64%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1feb2028, CAD
2.55%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
2.54%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
2.47%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1nov2027, CAD
2.47%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1aug2028, CAD
2.39%
Canada, Bonds 4% 1mar2029, CAD
2.37%
ZSB
Canada, Bonds 4% 1mar2029, CAD
7.44%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1sep2028, CAD
6.27%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
6.09%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
5.25%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
5.12%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
4.08%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1mar2028, CAD
3.15%
CMHC, 2.65% 15dec2028, CAD (85)
3.09%
Canada Housing Trust, 2.9% 15dec2029, CAD (123)
3.09%
Province of Ontario, 2.05% 2jun2030, CAD (DMTN243)
2.97%
Diversification
XSB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 770 total
27.28%
ZSB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 52 total
46.53%
Characteristics
Compare
XSB
ZSB
| Provider | iShares | BMO |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | FTSE Canada Short Term Overall Bond TR Index - CAD | FTSE Canada Short Term Overall Bond TR Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.38% | 3.17% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 20, 2000 | March 7, 2018 |
Frequently asked questions about XSB and ZSB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XSB or ZSB?
As of October 27, 2026, XSB has returned 0.95% year to date, while ZSB has returned 0.96%. ZSB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XSB or ZSB?
As of October 27, 2026, XSB manages $4.54 B in assets, while ZSB manages $218.79 M. XSB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XSB and ZSB managed?
XSB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada Short Term Overall Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark. ZSB is passively managed by BMO. It tracks the FTSE Canada Short Term Overall Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XSB and ZSB emphasize?
XSB is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal. ZSB is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XSB or ZSB?
Year to date, XSB has seen +$1,035.92 M in net flows, compared with +$63.90 M for ZSB. XSB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XSB and ZSB compare?
XSB has an expense ratio of 0.10%, while ZSB has an expense ratio of 0.10%.
What are the top holdings of XSB and ZSB?
XSB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD. ZSB's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 4% 1mar2029, CAD, Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1sep2028, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: XSB or ZSB?
XSB holds 759 securities, while ZSB holds 52. On holdings count, XSB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XSB and ZSB
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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.