XSB
iShares Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF

Full XSB fund page
VS
ZSB
BMO Short-Term Bond Index ETF

Full ZSB fund page

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 0.4% year-to-date with +$993 M in net flows, whereas ZSB is at 0.41% with +$26 M. Use the comparison tool below to benchmark these funds across top 10 holdings, yield, sector weights and historical returns.

NAV Performance and Flows

-0.6-0.4-0.20.00.20.4%Aug 11Aug 18Aug 25Sep 1Sep 9

Key Data

Historical performance and flows

As of September 11, 2026
1M3MYTD1Y3Y
Perf.
XSB
-0.56%-0.72%+0.40%+0.96%+14.14%
ZSB
-0.57%-0.73%+0.41%+0.97%+14.15%
Flows
XSB
+$80 M+$303 M+$993 M+$1,451 M+$2,141 M
ZSB
-$4 M+$10 M+$26 M+$43 M+$37 M

XSB vs ZSB exposure

Countries

XSB
Canada
97.14%
ZSB
Canada
100.00%

Sectors

XSB
Sovereign
38.72%
Finance
24.56%
Municipal
15.05%
Government Agencies
9.87%
Other
11.80%
ZSB
Sovereign
38.48%
Finance
21.08%
Municipal
16.30%
Government Agencies
13.58%
Other
10.57%
As of September 11, 2026

Top 10 Holdings

XSB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
3.53%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
3.52%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
2.78%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
2.62%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1feb2028, CAD
2.58%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1nov2027, CAD
2.53%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
2.50%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
2.44%
Canada, Bonds 4% 1mar2029, CAD
2.40%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1aug2027, CAD
2.20%
ZSB
Canada, Bonds 4% 1mar2029, CAD
7.46%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1sep2028, CAD
6.28%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
5.27%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1mar2028, CAD
5.25%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
5.14%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2027, CAD
4.16%
Canada Housing Trust, 3.95% 15jun2028, CAD (115)
3.18%
Province of Ontario, 2.9% 2jun2028, CAD (DMTN238)
3.12%
Canada Housing Trust, 2.9% 15dec2029, CAD (123)
3.10%
CMHC, 2.65% 15dec2028, CAD (85)
3.10%

Diversification

XSB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 758 total
27.10%
ZSB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 54 total
46.05%

Characteristics

Compare
XSB
ZSB
ProvideriSharesBMO
ManagementPassively managedPassively managed
BenchmarkFTSE Canada Short Term Overall Bond TR Index - CADFTSE Canada Short Term Overall Bond TR Index - CAD
Replication MethodDirect (Physical)Direct (Physical)
Asset ClassFixed IncomeFixed Income
Dividend PolicyDistributingDistributing
Trailing 12m distribution yield3.13%3.20%
Meets ESG criteriaNoNo
Inception DateNovember 20, 2000March 7, 2018

Frequently asked questions about XSB and ZSB

Which ETF has performed better year to date: XSB or ZSB?
As of September 11, 2026, XSB has returned 0.40% year to date, while ZSB has returned 0.41%. ZSB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XSB or ZSB?
As of September 11, 2026, XSB manages $4.49 B in assets, while ZSB manages $181.67 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 +$993.43 M in net flows, compared with +$26.42 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% 1mar2031, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, 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 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: XSB or ZSB?
XSB holds 758 securities, while ZSB holds 54. On holdings count, XSB is the more diversified portfolio.

Recent articles about XSB and ZSB

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