VGG.TO vs. ZST.TO

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VGG.TO (Vanguard U.S. Dividend Appreciation Index ETF) and ZST.TO (BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - VGG.TO is a Dividend fund tracking the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, while ZST.TO is a Canadian Government Bonds fund actively managed by BMO. VGG.TO is passively managed, while ZST.TO is actively managed. Over the past 10 years, VGG.TO returned 13.48%/yr vs 2.37%/yr for ZST.TO. At a 0.08 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VGG.TO charges 0.30%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for ZST.TO.

Performance

VGG.TO vs. ZST.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in Vanguard U.S. Dividend Appreciation Index ETF (VGG.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, VGG.TO achieves a 7.96% return, which is significantly higher than ZST.TO's 1.08% return. Over the past 10 years, VGG.TO has outperformed ZST.TO with an annualized return of 13.48%, while ZST.TO has yielded a comparatively lower 2.37% annualized return.

VGG.TO

• 1D: -0.06%
• 1M: 4.35%
• YTD: 7.96%
• 6M: 7.04%
• 1Y: 19.81%
• 3Y*: 17.14%
• 5Y*: 13.18%
• 10Y*: 13.48%

ZST.TO

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.21%
• YTD: 1.08%
• 6M: 0.29%
• 1Y: 1.70%
• 3Y*: 3.86%
• 5Y*: 2.98%
• 10Y*: 2.37%

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

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

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VGG.TO Vanguard U.S. Dividend Appreciation Index ETF	7.96%	8.61%	26.49%	11.58%	-4.21%	22.23%	12.67%	23.32%	5.20%	13.99%
ZST.TO BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF	1.08%	2.06%	5.21%	5.38%	1.22%	0.24%	1.77%	2.39%	1.99%	1.47%

Correlation

The correlation between VGG.TO and ZST.TO is 0.14, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.14
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.08
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.11
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.10
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 13, 2013	0.08

Return for Risk

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

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

VGG.TO

VGG.TO Risk / Return Rank: 65
VGG.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 65
VGG.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VGG.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 64
VGG.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
VGG.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 63

ZST.TO

ZST.TO Risk / Return Rank: 51
ZST.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 50
ZST.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 35
ZST.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 97
ZST.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
ZST.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard U.S. Dividend Appreciation Index ETF (VGG.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.

	VGG.TO	ZST.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.95	1.58	+0.37
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.80	1.66	+1.14
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.84	-0.49
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.81	1.70	+1.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.47	4.56	+5.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

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

The current VGG.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.95, which is comparable to the ZST.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VGG.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

	VGG.TO	ZST.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.95	1.58	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.05	4.16	-3.11
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.90	3.37	-2.47
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.98	1.43	-0.45

Drawdowns

VGG.TO vs. ZST.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VGG.TO drawdown since its inception was -24.58%, which is greater than ZST.TO's maximum drawdown of -3.60%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VGG.TO and ZST.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VGG.TO	ZST.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.58%	-3.60%	-20.98%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-7.07%	-1.01%	-6.06%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.56%	-1.01%	-14.55%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.52%	-1.01%	-17.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.58%	-1.06%	-23.52%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.04%	-0.02%	-1.02%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.93%	-0.58%	-2.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.90%	0.37%	+1.53%

Volatility

VGG.TO vs. ZST.TO - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard U.S. Dividend Appreciation Index ETF (VGG.TO) has a higher volatility of 2.57% compared to BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (ZST.TO) at 0.08%. This indicates that VGG.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

	VGG.TO	ZST.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.57%	0.08%	+2.49%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.92%	1.05%	+6.87%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	10.24%	1.08%	+9.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	12.66%	0.72%	+11.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	14.99%	0.71%	+14.28%

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

VGG.TO has a 0.30% expense ratio, which is higher than ZST.TO's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

VGG.TO vs. ZST.TO - Dividend Comparison

VGG.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.03%, less than ZST.TO's 2.56% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VGG.TO Vanguard U.S. Dividend Appreciation Index ETF	1.03%	1.16%	1.23%	1.37%	1.35%	1.21%	1.25%	1.24%	1.50%	1.45%	1.63%	1.70%
ZST.TO BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF	2.56%	2.85%	4.70%	4.84%	2.78%	2.31%	2.68%	2.84%	3.47%	4.09%	3.96%	3.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

VGG.TO and ZST.TO have a correlation of 0.14, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

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

On fees, ZST.TO is cheaper at 0.17% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

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

ZST.TO is cheaper with a 0.17% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for VGG.TO.

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

VGG.TO is categorized as Dividend, while ZST.TO is Canadian Government Bonds. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.30% for VGG.TO and 0.17% for ZST.TO.