PortfoliosLab logoPortfoliosLab logo

Documentation

Upgrade your plan
XBAL.TO vs. ZBAL.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

XBAL.TO vs. ZBAL.TO

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio (XBAL.TO) and BMO Balanced ETF (ZBAL.TO).

XBAL.TO and ZBAL.TO are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. XBAL.TO is an actively managed fund by iShares. It was launched on Jun 21, 2007. ZBAL.TO is an actively managed fund by BMO. It was launched on Jan 24, 2022.

Performance

XBAL.TO vs. ZBAL.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio (XBAL.TO) and BMO Balanced ETF (ZBAL.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Loading graphics...

XBAL.TO vs. ZBAL.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
XBAL.TO
iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio		0.29%11.87%15.76%13.01%-11.19%10.11%10.67%9.23%
ZBAL.TO
BMO Balanced ETF		0.37%12.93%16.16%12.63%-11.09%10.41%10.27%9.73%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, XBAL.TO achieves a 0.29% return, which is significantly lower than ZBAL.TO's 0.37% return.

XBAL.TO

1D
1.71%
1M
-3.45%
YTD
0.29%
6M
0.54%
1Y
11.30%
3Y*
11.77%
5Y*
6.99%
10Y*
7.19%

ZBAL.TO

1D
1.71%
1M
-3.27%
YTD
0.37%
6M
0.67%
1Y
12.70%
3Y*
12.19%
5Y*
7.46%
10Y*
—
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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

iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio

BMO Balanced ETF

Often compared with XBAL.TO:
XBAL.TO vs. XEQT.TOXBAL.TO vs. VBAL.TOXBAL.TO vs. XCNS.TOXBAL.TO vs. XEI.TOXBAL.TO vs. ZLB.TOXBAL.TO vs. GBAL.TOXBAL.TO vs. CASH
Often compared with ZBAL.TO:
ZBAL.TO vs. ZGRO.TOZBAL.TO vs. VDY.TOZBAL.TO vs. VBAL.TOZBAL.TO vs. ZLB.TOZBAL.TO vs. ZEQT.TOZBAL.TO vs. VGRO.TOZBAL.TO vs. XEI.TO

XBAL.TO vs. ZBAL.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

XBAL.TO has a 0.20% expense ratio, which is higher than ZBAL.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%.

XBAL.TO
iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio
ZBAL.TO
BMO Balanced ETF

Return for Risk

XBAL.TO vs. ZBAL.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XBAL.TO
XBAL.TO Risk / Return Rank: 6565
Overall Rank
XBAL.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6666
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XBAL.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 6363
Sortino Ratio Rank
XBAL.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 6565
Omega Ratio Rank
XBAL.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 6565
Calmar Ratio Rank
XBAL.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 6767
Martin Ratio Rank
ZBAL.TO
ZBAL.TO Risk / Return Rank: 7171
Overall Rank
ZBAL.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7272
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ZBAL.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 7171
Sortino Ratio Rank
ZBAL.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 7070
Omega Ratio Rank
ZBAL.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 7070
Calmar Ratio Rank
ZBAL.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 7272
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.

XBAL.TO vs. ZBAL.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio (XBAL.TO) and BMO Balanced ETF (ZBAL.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.

XBAL.TOZBAL.TODifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

1.11

1.23

-0.12

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

1.53

1.74

-0.20

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.23

1.25

-0.02

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

1.53

1.72

-0.19

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

6.31

7.09

-0.78

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

XBAL.TO vs. ZBAL.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XBAL.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.11, which is comparable to the ZBAL.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.23. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XBAL.TO and ZBAL.TO, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Loading graphics...

Sharpe Ratios by Period

XBAL.TOZBAL.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.11

1.23

-0.12

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.81

0.88

-0.07

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.78

—

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.64

0.83

-0.19

Correlation

The correlation between XBAL.TO and ZBAL.TO is 0.90, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

XBAL.TO vs. ZBAL.TO - Dividend Comparison

XBAL.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.25%, more than ZBAL.TO's 1.87% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
XBAL.TO
iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio		2.25%2.24%2.68%2.40%2.09%1.74%1.99%2.26%3.39%2.93%3.64%3.29%
ZBAL.TO
BMO Balanced ETF		1.87%2.00%2.20%2.49%2.74%2.37%2.55%2.39%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%

Drawdowns

XBAL.TO vs. ZBAL.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XBAL.TO drawdown since its inception was -28.83%, which is greater than ZBAL.TO's maximum drawdown of -20.75%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XBAL.TO and ZBAL.TO.

Loading graphics...

Drawdown Indicators

XBAL.TOZBAL.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-28.83%

-20.75%

-8.08%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-7.68%

-7.75%

+0.07%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-17.12%

-16.32%

-0.80%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-20.93%

—

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.84%

-3.58%

-0.26%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-3.41%

-3.23%

-0.18%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.86%

1.88%

-0.02%

Volatility

XBAL.TO vs. ZBAL.TO - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio (XBAL.TO) and BMO Balanced ETF (ZBAL.TO) have volatilities of 4.28% and 4.16%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Loading graphics...

Volatility by Period

XBAL.TOZBAL.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.28%

4.16%

+0.12%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

6.56%

6.45%

+0.11%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

10.21%

10.39%

-0.18%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

8.64%

8.62%

+0.02%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

9.27%

10.16%

-0.89%