VVSG.TO vs. ZDB.TO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VVSG.TO (Vanguard Canadian Ultra-Short Government Bond Index ETF) and ZDB.TO (BMO Discount Bond) are both Canadian Government Bonds funds - VVSG.TO tracks the Bloomberg Canadian Short Treasury 1-12M Float Adjusted Index while ZDB.TO tracks the FTSE Canada Universe Discount Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past year, VVSG.TO returned 2.32% vs 2.51% for ZDB.TO. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VVSG.TO charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.10%/yr for ZDB.TO.

Performance

VVSG.TO vs. ZDB.TO - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VVSG.TO achieves a 0.93% return, which is significantly lower than ZDB.TO's 1.53% return.

VVSG.TO

• 1D: 0.02%
• 1M: 0.25%
• YTD: 0.93%
• 6M: 0.97%
• 1Y: 2.32%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

ZDB.TO

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.51%
• YTD: 1.53%
• 6M: 0.99%
• 1Y: 2.51%
• 3Y*: 4.17%
• 5Y*: 0.56%
• 10Y*: 1.61%

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

VVSG.TO vs. ZDB.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VVSG.TO Vanguard Canadian Ultra-Short Government Bond Index ETF	0.93%	2.69%	1.20%
ZDB.TO BMO Discount Bond	1.53%	2.03%	0.27%

Correlation

The correlation between VVSG.TO and ZDB.TO is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 13, 2024	0.25

Return for Risk

VVSG.TO vs. ZDB.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VVSG.TO

VVSG.TO Risk / Return Rank: 99
VVSG.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
VVSG.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
VVSG.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 99
VVSG.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
VVSG.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 99

ZDB.TO

ZDB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 19
ZDB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
ZDB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
ZDB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 18
ZDB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
ZDB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

VVSG.TO vs. ZDB.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Canadian Ultra-Short Government Bond Index ETF (VVSG.TO) and BMO Discount Bond (ZDB.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.

	VVSG.TO	ZDB.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	6.38	0.58	+5.80
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	11.09	0.82	+10.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	3.55	1.10	+2.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	16.76	0.90	+15.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	142.52	2.07	+140.45
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VVSG.TO vs. ZDB.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VVSG.TO Sharpe Ratio is 6.38, which is higher than the ZDB.TO Sharpe Ratio of 0.58. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VVSG.TO and ZDB.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

	VVSG.TO	ZDB.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	6.38	0.58	+5.80
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.09	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.25	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	7.58	0.38	+7.20

Drawdowns

VVSG.TO vs. ZDB.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VVSG.TO drawdown since its inception was -0.14%, smaller than the maximum ZDB.TO drawdown of -18.09%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VVSG.TO and ZDB.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VVSG.TO	ZDB.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-0.14%	-18.09%	+17.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-0.14%	-2.79%	+2.65%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-5.07%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-16.25%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-18.09%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-1.45%	+1.45%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-0.01%	-4.21%	+4.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.02%	1.22%	-1.20%

Volatility

VVSG.TO vs. ZDB.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Canadian Ultra-Short Government Bond Index ETF (VVSG.TO) is 0.07%, while BMO Discount Bond (ZDB.TO) has a volatility of 1.55%. This indicates that VVSG.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ZDB.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VVSG.TO	ZDB.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.07%	1.55%	-1.48%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	0.21%	3.31%	-3.10%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36%	4.34%	-3.98%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	0.37%	6.52%	-6.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	0.37%	6.40%	-6.03%

VVSG.TO vs. ZDB.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

VVSG.TO has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is higher than ZDB.TO's 0.10% 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

VVSG.TO vs. ZDB.TO - Dividend Comparison

VVSG.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.41%, more than ZDB.TO's 2.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VVSG.TO Vanguard Canadian Ultra-Short Government Bond Index ETF	2.41%	2.50%	0.73%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
ZDB.TO BMO Discount Bond	2.00%	2.28%	2.38%	2.42%	2.52%	2.16%	2.06%	2.20%	2.07%	2.06%	1.95%	1.99%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VVSG.TO and ZDB.TO in my portfolio?

VVSG.TO and ZDB.TO have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, VVSG.TO or ZDB.TO?

On fees, ZDB.TO is cheaper at 0.10% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, VVSG.TO or ZDB.TO?

ZDB.TO is cheaper with a 0.10% expense ratio, compared with 0.12% for VVSG.TO.

What is the main difference between VVSG.TO and ZDB.TO?

VVSG.TO tracks Bloomberg Canadian Short Treasury 1-12M Float Adjusted Index, while ZDB.TO tracks FTSE Canada Universe Discount Bond Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.12% for VVSG.TO and 0.10% for ZDB.TO.