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ESGB.TO vs. ZLB.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ESGB.TO vs. ZLB.TO

Last updated Jul 1, 2026
See Documentation

ESGB.TO (BMO ESG Corporate Bond Index ETF) and ZLB.TO (BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ESGB.TO is a Corporate Bonds fund managed by BMO, while ZLB.TO is a Canada Equities fund actively managed by BMO. Over the past 5 years, ESGB.TO returned 2.22%/yr vs 11.62%/yr for ZLB.TO. At a 0.12 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ESGB.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in BMO ESG Corporate Bond Index ETF (ESGB.TO) and BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (ZLB.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, ESGB.TO achieves a 2.00% return, which is significantly lower than ZLB.TO's 7.13% return.

ESGB.TO

1D
-0.64%
1M
0.33%
YTD
2.00%
6M
1.89%
1Y
4.32%
3Y*
6.14%
5Y*
2.22%
10Y*
—

ZLB.TO

1D
-0.37%
1M
3.17%
YTD
7.13%
6M
7.05%
1Y
13.34%
3Y*
14.99%
5Y*
11.62%
10Y*
10.70%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ESGB.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020
ESGB.TO
BMO ESG Corporate Bond Index ETF		2.00%4.18%6.92%7.89%-9.31%-2.24%6.85%
ZLB.TO
BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF		7.13%20.40%15.31%9.41%-0.35%22.93%-0.20%

Correlation

The correlation between ESGB.TO and ZLB.TO is 0.24, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

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

0.24

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

0.21

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

0.18

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 15, 2020

0.13

The correlation between ESGB.TO and ZLB.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.12 (all time) to 0.24 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

BMO ESG Corporate Bond Index ETF

BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF

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Return for Risk

ESGB.TO vs. ZLB.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ESGB.TO
ESGB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 3636
Overall Rank
ESGB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3434
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ESGB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 3333
Sortino Ratio Rank
ESGB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 3333
Omega Ratio Rank
ESGB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 4040
Calmar Ratio Rank
ESGB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 3838
Martin Ratio Rank
ZLB.TO
ZLB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 4848
Overall Rank
ZLB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4747
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ZLB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 4444
Sortino Ratio Rank
ZLB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 4949
Omega Ratio Rank
ZLB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5555
Calmar Ratio Rank
ZLB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 4848
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.

ESGB.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO ESG Corporate Bond Index ETF (ESGB.TO) and BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (ZLB.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.

ESGB.TOZLB.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.09
1.45

-0.36

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
1.59
1.97

-0.38

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.20

1.27

-0.07

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

1.76

2.36

-0.60

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

5.17

6.91

-1.74

ESGB.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ESGB.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.09, which is comparable to the ZLB.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.45. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ESGB.TO and ZLB.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

ESGB.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ESGB.TO drawdown since its inception was -15.18%, smaller than the maximum ZLB.TO drawdown of -33.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ESGB.TO and ZLB.TO.

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Drawdown Indicators

ESGB.TOZLB.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-15.18%

-33.96%

+18.78%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.47%

-5.67%

+3.20%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-2.72%

-8.01%

+5.29%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-13.96%

-13.00%

-0.96%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-33.96%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.64%

-1.01%

+0.37%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-4.26%

-2.48%

-1.78%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.84%

1.93%

-1.09%

Volatility

ESGB.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BMO ESG Corporate Bond Index ETF (ESGB.TO) is 1.55%, while BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (ZLB.TO) has a volatility of 2.38%. This indicates that ESGB.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ZLB.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ESGB.TOZLB.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.55%

2.38%

-0.83%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

3.02%

6.65%

-3.63%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

4.00%

9.30%

-5.30%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

5.39%

9.64%

-4.25%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

5.99%

12.22%

-6.23%

Dividends

ESGB.TO vs. ZLB.TO - Dividend Comparison

ESGB.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.99%, more than ZLB.TO's 1.84% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
ESGB.TO
BMO ESG Corporate Bond Index ETF		3.99%3.82%3.52%3.56%3.39%2.98%2.83%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
ZLB.TO
BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF		1.84%1.99%2.37%2.67%2.66%2.39%2.83%2.44%2.76%2.55%2.94%2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

ESGB.TO and ZLB.TO have a correlation of 0.24, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

ESGB.TO is categorized as Corporate Bonds, while ZLB.TO is Canada Equities.

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