ZGB.TO vs. CLF.TO

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

ZGB.TO (BMO Government Bond Index ETF) and CLF.TO (iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF) are both Canadian Government Bonds funds - ZGB.TO tracks the FTSE Canada All Government Bond Index while CLF.TO tracks the Morningstar Can 1-5Y Core Bd GR CAD. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ZGB.TO returned 0.16%/yr vs 1.74%/yr for CLF.TO. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.17% expense ratio.

Performance

ZGB.TO vs. CLF.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in BMO Government Bond Index ETF (ZGB.TO) and iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF (CLF.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZGB.TO achieves a 1.73% return, which is significantly higher than CLF.TO's 0.91% return.

ZGB.TO

• 1D: 0.11%
• 1M: 1.59%
• YTD: 1.73%
• 6M: 0.92%
• 1Y: 2.45%
• 3Y*: 3.59%
• 5Y*: 0.16%
• 10Y*: —

CLF.TO

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 0.73%
• YTD: 0.91%
• 6M: 0.70%
• 1Y: 2.48%
• 3Y*: 4.19%
• 5Y*: 1.74%
• 10Y*: 1.81%

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

ZGB.TO vs. CLF.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
ZGB.TO BMO Government Bond Index ETF	1.73%	1.54%	3.30%	5.92%	-12.38%	-2.74%	8.37%	5.42%	3.57%
CLF.TO iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF	0.91%	3.36%	4.82%	4.58%	-3.98%	-1.27%	5.53%	3.97%	1.68%

Correlation

The correlation between ZGB.TO and CLF.TO is 0.74, 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	0.74
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.75
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.72
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 8, 2018	0.65

The correlation between ZGB.TO and CLF.TO has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.65 to 0.75 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

ZGB.TO vs. CLF.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZGB.TO

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

CLF.TO

CLF.TO Risk / Return Rank: 34
CLF.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
CLF.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
CLF.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 35
CLF.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
CLF.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 34

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.

ZGB.TO vs. CLF.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO Government Bond Index ETF (ZGB.TO) and iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF (CLF.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.

	ZGB.TO	CLF.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.56	1.22	-0.66
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.78	1.67	-0.89
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.23	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.89	1.80	-0.91
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.89	5.18	-3.29
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ZGB.TO vs. CLF.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZGB.TO Sharpe Ratio is 0.56, which is lower than the CLF.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.22. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZGB.TO and CLF.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

	ZGB.TO	CLF.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.56	1.22	-0.66
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.02	0.59	-0.56
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.54	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.72	-0.46

Drawdowns

ZGB.TO vs. CLF.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZGB.TO drawdown since its inception was -19.31%, which is greater than CLF.TO's maximum drawdown of -6.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZGB.TO and CLF.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZGB.TO	CLF.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.31%	-6.91%	-12.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.76%	-1.38%	-1.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.86%	-1.42%	-4.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.35%	-6.80%	-9.55%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-6.91%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.06%	-0.26%	-4.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.98%	-1.08%	-5.90%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.30%	0.48%	+0.82%

Volatility

ZGB.TO vs. CLF.TO - Volatility Comparison

BMO Government Bond Index ETF (ZGB.TO) has a higher volatility of 1.84% compared to iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF (CLF.TO) at 0.72%. This indicates that ZGB.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than CLF.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZGB.TO	CLF.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.84%	0.72%	+1.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	3.52%	1.62%	+1.90%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	4.42%	2.04%	+2.38%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	6.81%	2.98%	+3.83%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	6.15%	3.37%	+2.78%

ZGB.TO vs. CLF.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ZGB.TO and CLF.TO have an expense ratio of 0.17%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ZGB.TO vs. CLF.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZGB.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.04%, more than CLF.TO's 2.25% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
CLF.TO iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF	2.25%	2.22%	2.22%	2.23%	2.10%	1.98%	2.81%	3.93%	2.67%	2.91%	3.12%	3.29%
ZGB.TO BMO Government Bond Index ETF	3.04%	2.81%	2.69%	2.71%	2.76%	2.38%	2.26%	2.41%	2.58%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZGB.TO and CLF.TO in my portfolio?

ZGB.TO and CLF.TO have a correlation of 0.74, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ZGB.TO or CLF.TO?

Both ETFs have the same 0.17% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZGB.TO or CLF.TO?

ZGB.TO and CLF.TO have the same expense ratio: 0.17% per year.

What is the main difference between ZGB.TO and CLF.TO?

ZGB.TO tracks FTSE Canada All Government Bond Index, while CLF.TO tracks Morningstar Can 1-5Y Core Bd GR CAD. They also come from different issuers: BMO and iShares.