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VBAL.TO vs. XTR.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

VBAL.TO vs. XTR.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

VBAL.TO (Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio) and XTR.TO (iShares Diversified Monthly Income ETF) are both Diversified Portfolio funds. VBAL.TO is actively managed, while XTR.TO is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, VBAL.TO returned 7.87%/yr vs 6.00%/yr for XTR.TO. A 0.71 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VBAL.TO charges 0.24%/yr vs 0.61%/yr for XTR.TO.

Performance

VBAL.TO vs. XTR.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio (VBAL.TO) and iShares Diversified Monthly Income ETF (XTR.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, VBAL.TO achieves a 8.13% return, which is significantly higher than XTR.TO's 6.55% return.

VBAL.TO

1D
-0.30%
1M
4.26%
YTD
8.13%
6M
6.49%
1Y
18.31%
3Y*
13.79%
5Y*
7.87%
10Y*
—

XTR.TO

1D
0.16%
1M
2.50%
YTD
6.55%
6M
6.45%
1Y
13.02%
3Y*
10.98%
5Y*
6.00%
10Y*
5.99%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VBAL.TO vs. XTR.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)20252024202320222021202020192018
VBAL.TO
Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio		8.13%11.88%14.56%12.43%-11.44%10.16%10.23%14.85%-2.87%
XTR.TO
iShares Diversified Monthly Income ETF		6.55%8.54%12.80%4.95%-4.48%10.17%2.45%12.86%-2.69%

Correlation

The correlation between VBAL.TO and XTR.TO is 0.66, 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

0.66

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

0.68

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

0.69

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 2, 2018

0.71

The correlation between VBAL.TO and XTR.TO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.71 - a consistent structural relationship.

VBAL.TO vs. XTR.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
VBAL.TO
XTR.TO

Financial Services

20.6%
26.2%

Technology

20.4%
9.1%

Industrials

11.6%
7.1%

Energy

8.6%
16.1%

Basic Materials

8.5%
5.6%

Consumer Cyclical

7.9%
6.4%

Healthcare

6.7%
5.6%

Communication Services

6.1%
3.8%

Consumer Defensive

4.6%
11.3%

Utilities

2.8%
8.0%

Real Estate

2.3%
0.9%

Financial Services

VBAL.TO
20.6%
XTR.TO
26.2%

Technology

VBAL.TO
20.4%
XTR.TO
9.1%

Industrials

VBAL.TO
11.6%
XTR.TO
7.1%

Energy

VBAL.TO
8.6%
XTR.TO
16.1%

Basic Materials

VBAL.TO
8.5%
XTR.TO
5.6%

Consumer Cyclical

VBAL.TO
7.9%
XTR.TO
6.4%

Healthcare

VBAL.TO
6.7%
XTR.TO
5.6%

Communication Services

VBAL.TO
6.1%
XTR.TO
3.8%

Consumer Defensive

VBAL.TO
4.6%
XTR.TO
11.3%

Utilities

VBAL.TO
2.8%
XTR.TO
8.0%

Real Estate

VBAL.TO
2.3%
XTR.TO
0.9%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio

iShares Diversified Monthly Income ETF

Often compared with VBAL.TO:
VBAL.TO vs. VGRO.TOVBAL.TO vs. XBAL.TOVBAL.TO vs. VEQT.TOVBAL.TO vs. XEQT.TOVBAL.TO vs. VCNS.TOVBAL.TO vs. VOOVBAL.TO vs. VT
Often compared with XTR.TO:
XTR.TO vs. FIE.TOXTR.TO vs. ZMI.TOXTR.TO vs. XDIV.TOXTR.TO vs. XCNS.TOXTR.TO vs. XEQT.TOXTR.TO vs. XEI.TOXTR.TO vs. VRIF.TO

Return for Risk

VBAL.TO vs. XTR.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
VBAL.TO
VBAL.TO Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
VBAL.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6868
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VBAL.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 7171
Sortino Ratio Rank
VBAL.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 7171
Omega Ratio Rank
VBAL.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 6161
Calmar Ratio Rank
VBAL.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 6969
Martin Ratio Rank
XTR.TO
XTR.TO Risk / Return Rank: 8585
Overall Rank
XTR.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8585
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XTR.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 9090
Sortino Ratio Rank
XTR.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 8989
Omega Ratio Rank
XTR.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 7878
Calmar Ratio Rank
XTR.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 8484
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.

VBAL.TO vs. XTR.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio (VBAL.TO) and iShares Diversified Monthly Income ETF (XTR.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.

VBAL.TOXTR.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.30
2.85

-0.55

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
3.30
4.22

-0.92

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.44

1.58

-0.14

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.10

3.97

-0.87

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

13.17

17.48

-4.32

Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VBAL.TO vs. XTR.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VBAL.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.30, which is comparable to the XTR.TO Sharpe Ratio of 2.85. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VBAL.TO and XTR.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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Sharpe Ratios by Period

VBAL.TOXTR.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.30

2.85

-0.55

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.92

0.96

-0.04

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.72

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.78

0.40

+0.38

Drawdowns

VBAL.TO vs. XTR.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VBAL.TO drawdown since its inception was -21.19%, smaller than the maximum XTR.TO drawdown of -51.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VBAL.TO and XTR.TO.

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Drawdown Indicators

VBAL.TOXTR.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-21.19%

-51.42%

+30.23%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-5.93%

-3.29%

-2.64%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-9.68%

-6.06%

-3.62%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-16.45%

-9.74%

-6.71%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-25.92%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.30%

-0.16%

-0.14%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.17%

-4.96%

+1.79%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.39%

0.75%

+0.64%

Volatility

VBAL.TO vs. XTR.TO - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio (VBAL.TO) has a higher volatility of 2.73% compared to iShares Diversified Monthly Income ETF (XTR.TO) at 1.60%. This indicates that VBAL.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than XTR.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

VBAL.TOXTR.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.73%

1.60%

+1.13%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

6.59%

3.75%

+2.84%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

7.99%

4.59%

+3.40%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

8.63%

6.27%

+2.36%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

10.09%

8.33%

+1.76%

VBAL.TO vs. XTR.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VBAL.TO has a 0.24% expense ratio, which is lower than XTR.TO's 0.61% expense ratio.

Dividends

VBAL.TO vs. XTR.TO - Dividend Comparison

VBAL.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.05%, less than XTR.TO's 3.92% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
VBAL.TO
Vanguard Balanced ETF Portfolio		2.05%2.21%2.26%2.32%2.16%1.91%1.79%2.20%1.99%0.00%0.00%0.00%
XTR.TO
iShares Diversified Monthly Income ETF		3.92%4.10%4.27%4.61%4.62%4.21%5.56%5.38%5.75%5.24%5.30%6.81%

Frequently Asked Questions

VBAL.TO and XTR.TO have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, VBAL.TO is cheaper at 0.24% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

VBAL.TO is cheaper with a 0.24% expense ratio, compared with 0.61% for XTR.TO.

They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.24% for VBAL.TO and 0.61% for XTR.TO.

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