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BXF.TO vs. ZPL.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

BXF.TO vs. ZPL.TO

Last updated Jul 1, 2026
See Documentation

BXF.TO (CI 1-5 Year Laddered Government Strip Bond Index ETF) and ZPL.TO (BMO Long Provincial Bond Index ETF) are both Government Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, BXF.TO returned 1.81%/yr vs 0.48%/yr for ZPL.TO. At a 0.30 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

BXF.TO vs. ZPL.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in CI 1-5 Year Laddered Government Strip Bond Index ETF (BXF.TO) and BMO Long Provincial Bond Index ETF (ZPL.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BXF.TO achieves a 1.25% return, which is significantly lower than ZPL.TO's 3.53% return. Over the past 10 years, BXF.TO has outperformed ZPL.TO with an annualized return of 1.81%, while ZPL.TO has yielded a comparatively lower 0.48% annualized return.

BXF.TO

1D
0.00%
1M
0.28%
YTD
1.25%
6M
1.15%
1Y
2.70%
3Y*
4.49%
5Y*
1.96%
10Y*
1.81%

ZPL.TO

1D
0.08%
1M
0.46%
YTD
3.53%
6M
3.10%
1Y
3.20%
3Y*
2.13%
5Y*
-2.27%
10Y*
0.48%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BXF.TO vs. ZPL.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
BXF.TO
CI 1-5 Year Laddered Government Strip Bond Index ETF		1.25%3.86%4.51%4.55%-3.73%-0.83%5.07%2.36%1.77%0.48%
ZPL.TO
BMO Long Provincial Bond Index ETF		3.53%-1.77%1.41%8.19%-22.32%-4.72%11.32%13.74%-1.69%7.97%

Correlation

The correlation between BXF.TO and ZPL.TO is 0.50, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.50

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.45

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.40

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.33

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 11, 2013

0.30

The correlation between BXF.TO and ZPL.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.30 (all time) to 0.50 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

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CI 1-5 Year Laddered Government Strip Bond Index ETF

BMO Long Provincial Bond Index ETF

Return for Risk

BXF.TO vs. ZPL.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
BXF.TO
BXF.TO Risk / Return Rank: 3232
Overall Rank
BXF.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 2727
Sharpe Ratio Rank
BXF.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 2424
Sortino Ratio Rank
BXF.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 2727
Omega Ratio Rank
BXF.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 4040
Calmar Ratio Rank
BXF.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 4040
Martin Ratio Rank
ZPL.TO
ZPL.TO Risk / Return Rank: 1515
Overall Rank
ZPL.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1515
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ZPL.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 1313
Sortino Ratio Rank
ZPL.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 1313
Omega Ratio Rank
ZPL.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 1818
Calmar Ratio Rank
ZPL.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 1616
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BXF.TO vs. ZPL.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for CI 1-5 Year Laddered Government Strip Bond Index ETF (BXF.TO) and BMO Long Provincial Bond Index ETF (ZPL.TO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

BXF.TOZPL.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
0.89
0.38

+0.51

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.26
0.57

+0.68

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.17

1.07

+0.10

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.74

0.65

+1.09

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.46

1.37

+4.09

BXF.TO vs. ZPL.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BXF.TO Sharpe Ratio is 0.89, which is higher than the ZPL.TO Sharpe Ratio of 0.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BXF.TO and ZPL.TO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

BXF.TO vs. ZPL.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BXF.TO drawdown since its inception was -6.99%, smaller than the maximum ZPL.TO drawdown of -33.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BXF.TO and ZPL.TO.

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Drawdown Indicators

BXF.TOZPL.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-6.99%

-33.96%

+26.97%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-1.55%

-4.91%

+3.36%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-1.74%

-12.26%

+10.52%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-6.92%

-28.61%

+21.69%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-6.99%

-33.96%

+26.97%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.11%

-19.82%

+19.71%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-1.16%

-11.14%

+9.98%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.51%

2.48%

-1.97%

Volatility

BXF.TO vs. ZPL.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for CI 1-5 Year Laddered Government Strip Bond Index ETF (BXF.TO) is 0.67%, while BMO Long Provincial Bond Index ETF (ZPL.TO) has a volatility of 2.44%. This indicates that BXF.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ZPL.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

BXF.TOZPL.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.67%

2.44%

-1.77%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

2.28%

6.57%

-4.29%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

3.06%

8.63%

-5.57%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

3.55%

12.98%

-9.43%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

3.61%

11.43%

-7.82%

Dividends

BXF.TO vs. ZPL.TO - Dividend Comparison

BXF.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.97%, less than ZPL.TO's 3.53% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
BXF.TO
CI 1-5 Year Laddered Government Strip Bond Index ETF		2.97%2.91%3.29%2.58%1.58%1.38%1.67%1.75%1.55%1.17%1.19%1.24%
ZPL.TO
BMO Long Provincial Bond Index ETF		3.53%3.84%3.88%4.16%4.31%3.22%2.97%3.20%3.44%3.28%3.59%3.60%

Frequently Asked Questions

BXF.TO and ZPL.TO have a correlation of 0.50, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

They also come from different issuers: CI and BMO.

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