ZLC.TO vs. ZCM.TO

Last updated Jul 1, 2026

ZLC.TO (BMO Long Corporate Bond Index ETF) and ZCM.TO (BMO Mid Corporate Bond Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ZLC.TO is a Long-Term Bond fund tracking the FTSE Canada Long Term Corporate Bond Index, while ZCM.TO is a Corporate Bonds fund tracking the FTSE Canada Mid Term Corporate Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ZLC.TO returned 2.47%/yr vs 3.02%/yr for ZCM.TO. A 0.65 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. Both charge a 0.33% expense ratio.

Performance

ZLC.TO vs. ZCM.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in BMO Long Corporate Bond Index ETF (ZLC.TO) and BMO Mid Corporate Bond Index ETF (ZCM.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with ZLC.TO having a 2.50% return and ZCM.TO slightly higher at 2.52%. Over the past 10 years, ZLC.TO has underperformed ZCM.TO with an annualized return of 2.47%, while ZCM.TO has yielded a comparatively higher 3.02% annualized return.

ZLC.TO

• 1D: -0.07%
• 1M: 0.24%
• YTD: 2.50%
• 6M: 2.36%
• 1Y: 3.58%
• 3Y*: 5.06%
• 5Y*: 0.59%
• 10Y*: 2.47%

ZCM.TO

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.62%
• YTD: 2.52%
• 6M: 2.46%
• 1Y: 5.02%
• 3Y*: 7.13%
• 5Y*: 2.50%
• 10Y*: 3.02%

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

ZLC.TO vs. ZCM.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ZLC.TO BMO Long Corporate Bond Index ETF	2.50%	2.38%	4.69%	11.50%	-18.31%	-3.20%	9.51%	14.51%	-1.66%	8.69%
ZCM.TO BMO Mid Corporate Bond Index ETF	2.52%	5.06%	8.07%	7.97%	-10.18%	-2.08%	10.35%	8.60%	0.58%	2.29%

Correlation

The correlation between ZLC.TO and ZCM.TO is 0.80, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.80
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.81
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.80
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.71
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 25, 2010	0.65

The correlation between ZLC.TO and ZCM.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.65 (all time) to 0.81 (3 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ZLC.TO vs. ZCM.TO — Risk / Return Rank

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

ZLC.TO

ZLC.TO Risk / Return Rank: 17
ZLC.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 17
ZLC.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 15
ZLC.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 15
ZLC.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
ZLC.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 18

ZCM.TO

ZCM.TO Risk / Return Rank: 34
ZCM.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 34
ZCM.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
ZCM.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 33
ZCM.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 37
ZCM.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 35

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.

ZLC.TO vs. ZCM.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO Long Corporate Bond Index ETF (ZLC.TO) and BMO Mid Corporate Bond Index ETF (ZCM.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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	ZLC.TO	ZCM.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.49	1.11	-0.62
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.73	1.54	-0.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.09	1.21	-0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.77	1.64	-0.86
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.86	4.76	-2.91

ZLC.TO vs. ZCM.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ZLC.TO Sharpe Ratio is 0.49, which is lower than the ZCM.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.11. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZLC.TO and ZCM.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.

Drawdowns

ZLC.TO vs. ZCM.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZLC.TO drawdown since its inception was -28.61%, which is greater than ZCM.TO's maximum drawdown of -26.06%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZLC.TO and ZCM.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZLC.TO	ZCM.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-28.61%	-26.06%	-2.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-4.64%	-3.08%	-1.56%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-9.67%	-3.95%	-5.72%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.86%	-15.81%	-9.05%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-28.61%	-26.06%	-2.55%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-4.29%	0.00%	-4.29%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-5.98%	-2.60%	-3.38%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.00%	1.07%	+0.93%

Volatility

ZLC.TO vs. ZCM.TO - Volatility Comparison

BMO Long Corporate Bond Index ETF (ZLC.TO) has a higher volatility of 1.99% compared to BMO Mid Corporate Bond Index ETF (ZCM.TO) at 1.29%. This indicates that ZLC.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ZCM.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZLC.TO	ZCM.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.99%	1.29%	+0.70%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	5.53%	3.61%	+1.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	7.28%	4.56%	+2.72%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	11.05%	6.11%	+4.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	10.87%	8.76%	+2.11%

ZLC.TO vs. ZCM.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison

Both ZLC.TO and ZCM.TO have an expense ratio of 0.33%.

Dividends

ZLC.TO vs. ZCM.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZLC.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.56%, more than ZCM.TO's 4.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ZCM.TO BMO Mid Corporate Bond Index ETF	4.26%	4.03%	3.85%	3.94%	3.81%	3.30%	3.13%	3.34%	3.23%	3.04%	3.18%	3.43%
ZLC.TO BMO Long Corporate Bond Index ETF	4.56%	4.75%	4.70%	5.01%	5.30%	4.12%	3.82%	4.02%	4.26%	4.01%	4.33%	4.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZLC.TO and ZCM.TO in my portfolio?

ZLC.TO and ZCM.TO have a correlation of 0.80, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ZLC.TO or ZCM.TO?

Both ETFs have the same 0.33% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZLC.TO or ZCM.TO?

ZLC.TO and ZCM.TO have the same expense ratio: 0.33% per year.

What is the main difference between ZLC.TO and ZCM.TO?

ZLC.TO is categorized as Long-Term Bond, while ZCM.TO is Corporate Bonds. ZLC.TO tracks FTSE Canada Long Term Corporate Bond Index, while ZCM.TO tracks FTSE Canada Mid Term Corporate Bond Index.