VAB.TO vs. ZST.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VAB.TO (Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF) and ZST.TO (BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF) are both Canadian Government Bonds funds. VAB.TO is passively managed, while ZST.TO is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VAB.TO returned 1.51%/yr vs 2.34%/yr for ZST.TO. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VAB.TO charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for ZST.TO.

Performance

VAB.TO vs. ZST.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB.TO) and BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (ZST.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VAB.TO achieves a 1.62% return, which is significantly higher than ZST.TO's 1.08% return. Over the past 10 years, VAB.TO has underperformed ZST.TO with an annualized return of 1.51%, while ZST.TO has yielded a comparatively higher 2.34% annualized return.

VAB.TO

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 1.70%
• YTD: 1.62%
• 6M: 0.78%
• 1Y: 3.12%
• 3Y*: 4.12%
• 5Y*: 0.66%
• 10Y*: 1.51%

ZST.TO

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 1.08%
• 6M: 0.26%
• 1Y: 1.68%
• 3Y*: 3.84%
• 5Y*: 2.95%
• 10Y*: 2.34%

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

VAB.TO vs. ZST.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VAB.TO Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF	1.62%	2.28%	3.98%	6.90%	-11.86%	-2.88%	8.26%	6.77%	1.13%	2.30%
ZST.TO BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF	1.08%	2.03%	5.16%	5.33%	1.19%	0.22%	1.74%	2.36%	1.95%	1.43%

Correlation

The correlation between VAB.TO and ZST.TO is 0.37, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.37
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 7, 2011	0.19

The correlation between VAB.TO and ZST.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.19 (all time) to 0.37 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VAB.TO vs. ZST.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VAB.TO

VAB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 21
VAB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
VAB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 18
VAB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 19
VAB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
VAB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 21

ZST.TO

ZST.TO Risk / Return Rank: 47
ZST.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
ZST.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 30
ZST.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 96
ZST.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
ZST.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 30

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.

VAB.TO vs. ZST.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB.TO) and BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (ZST.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.

	VAB.TO	ZST.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.72	1.56	-0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.98	1.64	-0.66
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.83	-0.70
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.10	1.68	-0.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.61	4.51	-1.89
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VAB.TO vs. ZST.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VAB.TO Sharpe Ratio is 0.72, which is lower than the ZST.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VAB.TO and ZST.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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VAB.TO	ZST.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.72	1.56	-0.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.10	4.12	-4.02
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23	3.30	-3.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.39	1.81	-1.42

Drawdowns

VAB.TO vs. ZST.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VAB.TO drawdown since its inception was -18.39%, which is greater than ZST.TO's maximum drawdown of -1.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VAB.TO and ZST.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VAB.TO	ZST.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.39%	-1.06%	-17.33%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.83%	-1.01%	-1.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.31%	-1.01%	-4.30%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.82%	-1.01%	-14.81%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-18.39%	-1.06%	-17.33%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.92%	-0.00%	-1.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.11%	-0.13%	-3.98%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.20%	0.37%	+0.83%

Volatility

VAB.TO vs. ZST.TO - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB.TO) has a higher volatility of 1.59% compared to BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (ZST.TO) at 0.08%. This indicates that VAB.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ZST.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VAB.TO	ZST.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.59%	0.08%	+1.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.45%	1.05%	+2.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.38%	1.08%	+3.30%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.58%	0.72%	+5.86%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.48%	0.71%	+5.77%

VAB.TO vs. ZST.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VAB.TO has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than ZST.TO's 0.17% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VAB.TO vs. ZST.TO - Dividend Comparison

VAB.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.32%, more than ZST.TO's 2.55% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VAB.TO Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF	3.32%	3.33%	3.19%	2.95%	2.87%	2.48%	2.50%	2.65%	2.79%	2.77%	2.75%	2.78%
ZST.TO BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF	2.55%	2.82%	4.65%	4.79%	2.75%	2.29%	2.65%	2.82%	3.43%	4.05%	3.92%	3.90%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VAB.TO and ZST.TO in my portfolio?

VAB.TO and ZST.TO have a correlation of 0.37, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VAB.TO or ZST.TO?

On fees, VAB.TO is cheaper at 0.09% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VAB.TO or ZST.TO?

VAB.TO is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.17% for ZST.TO.

What is the main difference between VAB.TO and ZST.TO?

They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VAB.TO and 0.17% for ZST.TO.