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ZLB.TO vs. XIC.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

ZLB.TO vs. XIC.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZLB.TO (BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF) and XIC.TO (iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF) are both Canada Equities funds. ZLB.TO is actively managed, while XIC.TO is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ZLB.TO returned 10.67%/yr vs 12.48%/yr for XIC.TO. A 0.73 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. ZLB.TO charges 0.39%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for XIC.TO.

Performance

ZLB.TO vs. XIC.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (ZLB.TO) and iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (XIC.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZLB.TO achieves a 3.14% return, which is significantly lower than XIC.TO's 10.75% return. Over the past 10 years, ZLB.TO has underperformed XIC.TO with an annualized return of 10.67%, while XIC.TO has yielded a comparatively higher 12.48% annualized return.

ZLB.TO

1D
0.03%
1M
1.40%
YTD
3.14%
6M
4.82%
1Y
14.81%
3Y*
15.17%
5Y*
11.61%
10Y*
10.67%

XIC.TO

1D
-1.05%
1M
3.59%
YTD
10.75%
6M
12.90%
1Y
34.79%
3Y*
23.62%
5Y*
14.60%
10Y*
12.48%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

ZLB.TO vs. XIC.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
ZLB.TO
BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF		3.14%25.29%15.31%9.41%-0.35%22.93%1.51%21.92%-2.76%11.07%
XIC.TO
iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF		10.75%31.51%21.48%11.73%-5.82%23.42%5.61%22.76%-8.72%8.99%

Correlation

The correlation between ZLB.TO and XIC.TO is 0.63, 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

0.63

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.72

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.73

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.73

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 28, 2011

0.73

The correlation between ZLB.TO and XIC.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.63 (1 year) to 0.73 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ZLB.TO vs. XIC.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
ZLB.TO
XIC.TO

Financial Services

23.7%
34.0%

Consumer Defensive

18.2%
2.9%

Utilities

17.6%
2.9%

Industrials

9.8%
10.0%

Communication Services

9.2%
1.8%

Consumer Cyclical

8.6%
3.7%

Basic Materials

6.6%
17.2%

Real Estate

4.3%
1.5%

Technology

2.0%
6.7%

Energy

-

18.1%

Healthcare

-

0.1%

Financial Services

ZLB.TO
23.7%
XIC.TO
34.0%

Consumer Defensive

ZLB.TO
18.2%
XIC.TO
2.9%

Utilities

ZLB.TO
17.6%
XIC.TO
2.9%

Industrials

ZLB.TO
9.8%
XIC.TO
10.0%

Communication Services

ZLB.TO
9.2%
XIC.TO
1.8%

Consumer Cyclical

ZLB.TO
8.6%
XIC.TO
3.7%

Basic Materials

ZLB.TO
6.6%
XIC.TO
17.2%

Real Estate

ZLB.TO
4.3%
XIC.TO
1.5%

Technology

ZLB.TO
2.0%
XIC.TO
6.7%

Energy

ZLB.TO

-

XIC.TO
18.1%

Healthcare

ZLB.TO

-

XIC.TO
0.1%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

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BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF

iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF

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Often compared with XIC.TO:
XIC.TO vs. XIU.TOXIC.TO vs. VDY.TOXIC.TO vs. ZCN.TOXIC.TO vs. VCE.TOXIC.TO vs. XEF.TOXIC.TO vs. VEQT.TOXIC.TO vs. VO

Return for Risk

ZLB.TO vs. XIC.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
ZLB.TO
ZLB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 5454
Overall Rank
ZLB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5151
Sharpe Ratio Rank
ZLB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 5555
Sortino Ratio Rank
ZLB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 5151
Omega Ratio Rank
ZLB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5555
Calmar Ratio Rank
ZLB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 5858
Martin Ratio Rank
XIC.TO
XIC.TO Risk / Return Rank: 8080
Overall Rank
XIC.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 8383
Sharpe Ratio Rank
XIC.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 7878
Sortino Ratio Rank
XIC.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 8181
Omega Ratio Rank
XIC.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 7373
Calmar Ratio Rank
XIC.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 8383
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.

ZLB.TO vs. XIC.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (ZLB.TO) and iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (XIC.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.

ZLB.TOXIC.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.80
2.76

-0.96

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.69
3.57

-0.88

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.32

1.50

-0.17

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.77

3.76

-0.99

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

10.29

17.44

-7.15

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

ZLB.TO vs. XIC.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZLB.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.80, which is lower than the XIC.TO Sharpe Ratio of 2.76. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZLB.TO and XIC.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.

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Sharpe Ratios by Period

ZLB.TOXIC.TODifference

Sharpe Ratio (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

1.80

2.76

-0.96

Sharpe Ratio (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

1.24

1.12

+0.12

Sharpe Ratio (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.88

0.84

+0.04

Sharpe Ratio (All Time)

Calculated using the full available price history

1.14

0.54

+0.60

Drawdowns

ZLB.TO vs. XIC.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZLB.TO drawdown since its inception was -33.96%, smaller than the maximum XIC.TO drawdown of -48.21%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZLB.TO and XIC.TO.

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Drawdown Indicators

ZLB.TOXIC.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-33.96%

-48.21%

+14.25%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-5.36%

-9.29%

+3.93%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-8.01%

-12.27%

+4.26%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-13.00%

-16.24%

+3.24%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.96%

-37.21%

+3.25%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-1.70%

-1.05%

-0.65%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-2.46%

-7.04%

+4.58%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.45%

2.00%

-0.55%

Volatility

ZLB.TO vs. XIC.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF (ZLB.TO) is 2.47%, while iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (XIC.TO) has a volatility of 3.48%. This indicates that ZLB.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XIC.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

ZLB.TOXIC.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

2.47%

3.48%

-1.01%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

6.38%

10.33%

-3.95%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

8.29%

12.67%

-4.38%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

9.44%

13.13%

-3.69%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

12.15%

14.96%

-2.81%

ZLB.TO vs. XIC.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

ZLB.TO has a 0.39% expense ratio, which is higher than XIC.TO's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

ZLB.TO vs. XIC.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZLB.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.88%, less than XIC.TO's 2.02% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
XIC.TO
iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF		2.02%2.23%2.64%2.95%3.10%2.44%3.03%3.01%3.19%2.49%2.72%3.21%
ZLB.TO
BMO Low Volatility Canadian Equity ETF		1.88%1.93%2.37%2.67%2.66%2.39%2.83%2.44%2.76%2.52%2.94%2.34%

Frequently Asked Questions

ZLB.TO and XIC.TO have a correlation of 0.63, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

On fees, XIC.TO is cheaper at 0.06% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

XIC.TO is cheaper with a 0.06% expense ratio, compared with 0.39% for ZLB.TO.

They also come from different issuers: BMO and iShares. Their fees differ too: 0.39% for ZLB.TO and 0.06% for XIC.TO.

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