HBAL.TO vs. ZGRO.TO

Last updated Jun 25, 2026

HBAL.TO (Global X Balanced Asset Allocation ETF) and ZGRO.TO (BMO Growth ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - HBAL.TO is a Diversified Portfolio fund actively managed by Global X, while ZGRO.TO is a Global Allocation fund actively managed by BMO. Both are actively managed. Over the past 5 years, HBAL.TO returned 7.68%/yr vs 15.61%/yr for ZGRO.TO. A 0.77 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. HBAL.TO charges 0.20%/yr vs 0.18%/yr for ZGRO.TO.

Performance

HBAL.TO vs. ZGRO.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Global X Balanced Asset Allocation ETF (HBAL.TO) and BMO Growth ETF (ZGRO.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, HBAL.TO achieves a 8.33% return, which is significantly lower than ZGRO.TO's 10.93% return.

HBAL.TO

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.43%
• YTD: 8.33%
• 6M: 8.37%
• 1Y: 19.49%
• 3Y*: 14.76%
• 5Y*: 7.68%
• 10Y*: —

ZGRO.TO

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.16%
• YTD: 10.93%
• 6M: 10.40%
• 1Y: 25.31%
• 3Y*: 23.01%
• 5Y*: 15.61%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

HBAL.TO vs. ZGRO.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
HBAL.TO Global X Balanced Asset Allocation ETF	8.33%	13.57%	16.65%	15.57%	-17.70%	14.70%	15.50%	13.32%
ZGRO.TO BMO Growth ETF	10.93%	18.65%	25.70%	20.36%	-5.92%	20.50%	17.11%	16.29%

Correlation

The correlation between HBAL.TO and ZGRO.TO is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 15, 2019	0.77

The correlation between HBAL.TO and ZGRO.TO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.77 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

HBAL.TO vs. ZGRO.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

HBAL.TO

HBAL.TO Risk / Return Rank: 82
HBAL.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
HBAL.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
HBAL.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 86
HBAL.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
HBAL.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 80

ZGRO.TO

ZGRO.TO Risk / Return Rank: 78
ZGRO.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
ZGRO.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 76
ZGRO.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 76
ZGRO.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 79
ZGRO.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 81

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.

HBAL.TO vs. ZGRO.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Global X Balanced Asset Allocation ETF (HBAL.TO) and BMO Growth ETF (ZGRO.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.

	HBAL.TO	ZGRO.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.36	2.15	+0.20
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.34	3.03	+0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.40	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.38	3.70	-0.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	13.83	14.49	-0.66

HBAL.TO vs. ZGRO.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current HBAL.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.36, which is comparable to the ZGRO.TO Sharpe Ratio of 2.15. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of HBAL.TO and ZGRO.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.

Drawdowns

HBAL.TO vs. ZGRO.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum HBAL.TO drawdown since its inception was -22.49%, smaller than the maximum ZGRO.TO drawdown of -24.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for HBAL.TO and ZGRO.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	HBAL.TO	ZGRO.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-22.49%	-24.67%	+2.18%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-5.80%	-6.87%	+1.07%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.29%	-11.60%	+2.31%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.11%	-16.21%	-5.90%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.90%	-2.43%	+1.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.49%	-2.49%	-2.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.41%	1.75%	-0.34%

Volatility

HBAL.TO vs. ZGRO.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Global X Balanced Asset Allocation ETF (HBAL.TO) is 3.05%, while BMO Growth ETF (ZGRO.TO) has a volatility of 5.05%. This indicates that HBAL.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ZGRO.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	HBAL.TO	ZGRO.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.05%	5.05%	-2.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.04%	9.91%	-2.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	8.31%	11.83%	-3.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	10.56%	11.18%	-0.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	12.14%	13.19%	-1.05%

HBAL.TO vs. ZGRO.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

HBAL.TO has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than ZGRO.TO's 0.18% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

HBAL.TO vs. ZGRO.TO - Dividend Comparison

HBAL.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.24%, which matches ZGRO.TO's 2.24% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
HBAL.TO Global X Balanced Asset Allocation ETF	2.24%	2.41%	2.28%	1.08%	0.03%	0.06%	0.04%	0.19%
ZGRO.TO BMO Growth ETF	2.24%	3.38%	5.76%	6.81%	7.63%	6.65%	7.47%	6.95%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both HBAL.TO and ZGRO.TO in my portfolio?

HBAL.TO and ZGRO.TO have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, HBAL.TO or ZGRO.TO?

On fees, ZGRO.TO is cheaper at 0.18% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, HBAL.TO or ZGRO.TO?

ZGRO.TO is cheaper with a 0.18% expense ratio, compared with 0.20% for HBAL.TO.

What is the main difference between HBAL.TO and ZGRO.TO?

HBAL.TO is categorized as Diversified Portfolio, while ZGRO.TO is Global Allocation. They also come from different issuers: Global X and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.20% for HBAL.TO and 0.18% for ZGRO.TO.