VS
Compare BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF (ZAG) vs Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB) to find the best fit for your portfolio. ZAG and VAB provide the same top sector exposures: Municipal, Sovereign, and Government agencies. When evaluating costs, ZAG features a management fee (MER) of 0.08%, compared to 0.08% for VAB. Performance-wise, ZAG has returned 0.72% year-to-date with +$426 M in net flows, whereas VAB is at 0.66% with +$709 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
ZAG
VAB
| AuM | $12,572.34 M | $7,216.54 M |
| Management Fees | 0.08% | 0.08% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.09% | 0.09% |
| Tracking Difference | - | -0.35% |
Historical performance and flows
As of May 21, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | ZAG | +0.10% | -1.17% | +0.72% | +3.24% | +12.56% |
VAB | +0.12% | -1.23% | +0.66% | +3.24% | +13.90% | |
| Flows | ZAG | +$766 M | +$555 M | +$426 M | +$1,450 M | +$6,223 M |
VAB | +$121 M | +$393 M | +$709 M | +$1,757 M | +$3,111 M |
ZAG vs VAB exposure
Countries
ZAG
Canada
100.00%
VAB
Canada
98.29%
Sectors
ZAG
Municipal
29.15%
Sovereign
25.83%
Other
14.55%
Government agencies
9.37%
Other
21.10%
VAB
Municipal
29.06%
Sovereign
24.44%
Other
19.34%
Other
27.15%
As of May 21, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
ZAG
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
4.29%
Canada, Bond 2.25 1jun2029 10Y
3.59%
Province of Quebec, 2.75% 1sep2028, CAD (B124)
2.92%
Canada Housing Trust, 1.1% 15mar2031, CAD (95)
2.65%
Canada, Bond 2.75 1dec2048 30Y
2.46%
Province of Quebec, 3.5% 1dec2048, CAD (B117)
2.41%
Canada, Bonds 4% 1mar2029, CAD
2.27%
Canada Housing Trust, 3.55% 15sep2032, CAD (107)
2.22%
Bank of Montreal, 3.19% 1mar2028, CAD
2.20%
Province of Ontario, 2.9% 2jun2028, CAD (DMTN238)
2.20%
VAB
CA135087T537
1.57%
CA135087T792
1.54%
CA135087T388
1.43%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.41%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.28%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.25%
CA135087T610
1.21%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
1.20%
Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y
1.19%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2034, CAD
1.18%
Diversification
ZAG
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 86 total
27.20%
VAB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,295 total
13.27%
Characteristics
Compare
ZAG
VAB
| Provider | BMO | Vanguard |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD | Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.46% | 3.35% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | January 19, 2010 | November 30, 2011 |
Frequently asked questions about ZAG and VAB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: ZAG or VAB?
As of May 21, 2026, ZAG has returned 0.72% year to date, while VAB has returned 0.66%. ZAG is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: ZAG or VAB?
As of May 21, 2026, ZAG manages $12.57 B in assets, while VAB manages $7.22 B. ZAG is the larger fund by AUM.
How are ZAG and VAB managed?
ZAG is passively managed by BMO. It tracks the FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark. VAB is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do ZAG and VAB emphasize?
ZAG is most exposed to Municipal, Sovereign, and Government agencies. VAB is most exposed to Municipal, Sovereign, and Government agencies.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: ZAG or VAB?
Year to date, ZAG has seen +$426.33 M in net flows, compared with +$709.11 M for VAB. VAB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of ZAG and VAB compare?
ZAG has an expense ratio of 0.09%, while VAB has an expense ratio of 0.09%.
What are the top holdings of ZAG and VAB?
ZAG's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD and Canada, Bond 2.25 1jun2029 10Y. VAB's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD and Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: ZAG or VAB?
ZAG holds 75 securities, while VAB holds 1053. On holdings count, VAB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about ZAG and VAB
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