VS
Compare iShares ESG Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF (XSTB) vs BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF (ZAG) to find the best fit for your portfolio. XSTB provides Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal exposures, while ZAG is primarily weighted in Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, XSTB features a management fee (MER) of 0.15%, compared to 0.08% for ZAG. Performance-wise, XSTB has returned 1.09% year-to-date with +$45 M in net flows, whereas ZAG is at 0.63% 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
XSTB
ZAG
| AuM | $176.35 M | $13,241.41 M |
| Management Fees | 0.15% | 0.08% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.17% | 0.09% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.18% | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 30, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XSTB | +0.72% | -0.04% | +1.09% | +1.04% | +13.94% |
ZAG | +1.49% | -0.34% | +0.63% | -0.33% | +15.82% | |
| Flows | XSTB | +$18 M | +$29 M | +$45 M | +$49 M | +$81 M |
ZAG | +$140 M | +$269 M | +$1,332 M | +$1,985 M | +$7,383 M |
XSTB vs ZAG exposure
Countries
XSTB
Canada
94.55%
ZAG
Canada
95.65%
Sectors
XSTB
Sovereign
39.55%
Finance
23.48%
Municipal
13.36%
Government Agencies
10.87%
Other
12.74%
ZAG
Sovereign
34.55%
Municipal
30.80%
Finance
11.12%
Government Agencies
9.39%
Other
14.14%
As of October 30, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XSTB
Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y
3.16%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
3.13%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
3.12%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
3.12%
Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y
2.71%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
2.51%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
2.41%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
2.34%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD
2.34%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1nov2027, CAD
2.30%
ZAG
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
4.26%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1nov2027, CAD
3.74%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1feb2028, CAD
2.97%
Canada, Bond 2.25 1jun2029 10Y
2.92%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1dec2055, CAD
2.80%
Canada Housing Trust, 1.1% 15mar2031, CAD (95)
2.69%
Province of Quebec, 3.5% 1dec2048, CAD (B117)
2.35%
Bank of Montreal, 3.19% 1mar2028, CAD
2.25%
Province of Quebec, 2.75% 1sep2028, CAD (B124)
2.23%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
2.20%
Diversification
XSTB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 269 total
27.12%
ZAG
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 86 total
28.40%
Characteristics
Compare
XSTB
ZAG
| Provider | iShares | BMO |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg MSCI 1-5 Year Canadian Aggregate ESG Focus TR Index - CAD | 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 | 2.88% | 3.45% |
| Meets ESG criteria | Yes | No |
| Inception Date | March 18, 2019 | January 19, 2010 |
Frequently asked questions about XSTB and ZAG
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XSTB or ZAG?
As of October 30, 2026, XSTB has returned 1.09% year to date, while ZAG has returned 0.63%. XSTB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XSTB or ZAG?
As of October 30, 2026, XSTB manages $176.35 M in assets, while ZAG manages $13.24 B. ZAG is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XSTB and ZAG managed?
XSTB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the Bloomberg MSCI 1-5 Year Canadian Aggregate ESG Focus TR Index - CAD benchmark. ZAG is passively managed by BMO. It tracks the FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XSTB and ZAG emphasize?
XSTB is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal. ZAG is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XSTB or ZAG?
Year to date, XSTB has seen +$45.37 M in net flows, compared with +$1,331.57 M for ZAG. ZAG has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XSTB and ZAG compare?
XSTB has an expense ratio of 0.17%, while ZAG has an expense ratio of 0.09%.
What are the top holdings of XSTB and ZAG?
XSTB's largest holdings include Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, and Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 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: XSTB or ZAG?
XSTB holds 268 securities, while ZAG holds 86. On holdings count, XSTB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XSTB 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.