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XSAB.TO vs. ZAG.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Dividends
Drawdowns
Volatility

XSAB.TO vs. ZAG.TO

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (XSAB.TO) and BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF (ZAG.TO).

XSAB.TO and ZAG.TO are both exchange-traded funds (ETFs), meaning they are traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold throughout the day. XSAB.TO is a passively managed fund by iShares that tracks the performance of the Morningstar Can Core Bd GR CAD. It was launched on Mar 18, 2019. ZAG.TO is a passively managed fund by BMO that tracks the performance of the FTSE Canada Universe Bond Index. It was launched on Jan 19, 2010. Both XSAB.TO and ZAG.TO are passive ETFs, meaning that they are not actively managed but aim to replicate the performance of the underlying index as closely as possible.

Performance

XSAB.TO vs. ZAG.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (XSAB.TO) and BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF (ZAG.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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XSAB.TO vs. ZAG.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)2025202420232022202120202019
XSAB.TO
iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF		0.04%2.22%4.03%6.35%-11.42%-2.71%7.79%2.30%
ZAG.TO
BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF		0.04%2.25%4.48%6.41%-11.60%-2.60%8.34%2.60%

Returns By Period

As of year-to-date, both investments have demonstrated similar returns, with XSAB.TO at 0.04% and ZAG.TO at 0.04%.

XSAB.TO

1D
0.11%
1M
-2.02%
YTD
0.04%
6M
-0.42%
1Y
0.48%
3Y*
3.14%
5Y*
0.49%
10Y*
—

ZAG.TO

1D
0.15%
1M
-2.08%
YTD
0.04%
6M
-0.26%
1Y
0.56%
3Y*
3.34%
5Y*
0.58%
10Y*
1.66%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF

BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF

Often compared with XSAB.TO:
XSAB.TO vs. XSTB.TOXSAB.TO vs. XSUS.TOXSAB.TO vs. ZST.TOXSAB.TO vs. XSHG.TOXSAB.TO vs. GEQT.TOXSAB.TO vs. VSB.TOXSAB.TO vs. XSB.TO
Often compared with ZAG.TO:
ZAG.TO vs. VAB.TOZAG.TO vs. XBB.TOZAG.TO vs. XSB.TOZAG.TO vs. ZST.TOZAG.TO vs. ZMMK.TOZAG.TO vs. XBBZAG.TO vs. XCB.TO

XSAB.TO vs. ZAG.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

XSAB.TO has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is higher than ZAG.TO's 0.09% 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%.

XSAB.TO
iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF
ZAG.TO
BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF

Return for Risk

XSAB.TO vs. ZAG.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
XSAB.TO
XSAB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 1414
Overall Rank
XSAB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1515
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XSAB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 1212
Sortino Ratio Rank
XSAB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 1212
Omega Ratio Rank
XSAB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 1616
Calmar Ratio Rank
XSAB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 1515
Martin Ratio Rank
ZAG.TO
ZAG.TO Risk / Return Rank: 1616
Overall Rank
ZAG.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 1616
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ZAG.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 1313
Sortino Ratio Rank
ZAG.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 1313
Omega Ratio Rank
ZAG.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 1919
Calmar Ratio Rank
ZAG.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 1717
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.

XSAB.TO vs. ZAG.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (XSAB.TO) and BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF (ZAG.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.

XSAB.TOZAG.TODifference

Sharpe ratio

Return per unit of total volatility

0.11

0.12

-0.01

Sortino ratio

Return per unit of downside risk

0.17

0.19

-0.02

Omega ratio

Gain probability vs. loss probability

1.02

1.02

0.00

Calmar ratio

Return relative to maximum drawdown

0.22

0.30

-0.08

Martin ratio

Return relative to average drawdown

0.44

0.60

-0.16

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

XSAB.TO vs. ZAG.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current XSAB.TO Sharpe Ratio is 0.11, which is comparable to the ZAG.TO Sharpe Ratio of 0.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of XSAB.TO and ZAG.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.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

XSAB.TOZAG.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.11

0.12

-0.01

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.08

0.09

-0.01

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

—

0.24

—

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

0.16

0.44

-0.29

Correlation

The correlation between XSAB.TO and ZAG.TO is 0.80, 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

XSAB.TO vs. ZAG.TO - Dividend Comparison

XSAB.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.27%, less than ZAG.TO's 3.48% yield.

TTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
XSAB.TO
iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF		3.27%3.20%3.01%2.81%2.75%2.35%2.49%2.05%0.00%0.00%0.00%0.00%
ZAG.TO
BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF		3.48%3.48%3.44%3.47%3.56%3.04%2.88%3.03%2.92%2.95%3.07%3.13%

Drawdowns

XSAB.TO vs. ZAG.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum XSAB.TO drawdown since its inception was -17.96%, roughly equal to the maximum ZAG.TO drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for XSAB.TO and ZAG.TO.

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Drawdown Indicators

XSAB.TOZAG.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-17.96%

-18.03%

+0.07%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-2.95%

-2.84%

-0.11%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-15.66%

-15.77%

+0.11%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

—

-18.03%

—

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-3.38%

-2.71%

-0.67%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-6.57%

-3.56%

-3.01%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.46%

1.41%

+0.05%

Volatility

XSAB.TO vs. ZAG.TO - Volatility Comparison

iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (XSAB.TO) and BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF (ZAG.TO) have volatilities of 1.92% and 1.90%, 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.

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Volatility by Period

XSAB.TOZAG.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

1.92%

1.90%

+0.02%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

2.93%

2.96%

-0.03%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

4.45%

4.65%

-0.20%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

6.29%

6.53%

-0.24%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

6.70%

7.09%

-0.39%