ZSP.TO vs. ZAG.TO

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

ZSP.TO (BMO S&P 500 Index ETF) and ZAG.TO (BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - ZSP.TO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while ZAG.TO is a Canadian Government Bonds fund tracking the FTSE Canada Universe Bond Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, ZSP.TO returned 15.98%/yr vs 1.66%/yr for ZAG.TO. At a correlation of -0.01, they often move in opposite directions. Both charge a 0.09% expense ratio.

Performance

ZSP.TO vs. ZAG.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in BMO S&P 500 Index ETF (ZSP.TO) and BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF (ZAG.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ZSP.TO achieves a 12.15% return, which is significantly higher than ZAG.TO's 1.70% return. Over the past 10 years, ZSP.TO has outperformed ZAG.TO with an annualized return of 15.98%, while ZAG.TO has yielded a comparatively lower 1.66% annualized return.

ZSP.TO

• 1D: -0.29%
• 1M: 7.18%
• YTD: 12.15%
• 6M: 10.04%
• 1Y: 28.96%
• 3Y*: 23.44%
• 5Y*: 16.74%
• 10Y*: 15.98%

ZAG.TO

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 1.75%
• YTD: 1.70%
• 6M: 0.89%
• 1Y: 3.25%
• 3Y*: 4.24%
• 5Y*: 0.76%
• 10Y*: 1.66%

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

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

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ZSP.TO BMO S&P 500 Index ETF	12.15%	12.02%	35.07%	23.30%	-12.68%	27.53%	15.61%	24.69%	3.24%	13.54%
ZAG.TO BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF	1.70%	2.25%	4.48%	6.41%	-11.60%	-2.60%	8.34%	6.84%	1.12%	2.45%

Correlation

The correlation between ZSP.TO and ZAG.TO is 0.26, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.26
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 27, 2012	-0.01

The correlation between ZSP.TO and ZAG.TO shifts across timeframes, from -0.01 (all time) to 0.26 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

ZSP.TO vs. ZAG.TO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	ZSP.TO	ZAG.TO
Technology	35.5%	-
Financial Services	12.1%	-
Communication Services	10.9%	-
Consumer Cyclical	10.3%	-
Healthcare	8.7%	-
Industrials	8.4%	-
Consumer Defensive	4.8%	-
Energy	3.3%	-
Utilities	2.3%	-
Real Estate	2.0%	0.0%
Basic Materials	1.8%	-

Return for Risk

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

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

ZSP.TO

ZSP.TO Risk / Return Rank: 72
ZSP.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 76
ZSP.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
ZSP.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 76
ZSP.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
ZSP.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 68

ZAG.TO

ZAG.TO Risk / Return Rank: 21
ZAG.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
ZAG.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 19
ZAG.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 20
ZAG.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
ZAG.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 22

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.

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

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO S&P 500 Index ETF (ZSP.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.

	ZSP.TO	ZAG.TO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.53	0.73	+1.79
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.45	1.02	+2.42
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.47	1.13	+0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.38	1.17	+2.21
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	12.70	2.73	+9.97
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

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

The current ZSP.TO Sharpe Ratio is 2.53, which is higher than the ZAG.TO Sharpe Ratio of 0.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ZSP.TO and ZAG.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

	ZSP.TO	ZAG.TO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.53	0.73	+1.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	1.13	0.12	+1.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98	0.23	+0.75
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.15	0.45	+0.70

Drawdowns

ZSP.TO vs. ZAG.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ZSP.TO drawdown since its inception was -26.94%, which is greater than ZAG.TO's maximum drawdown of -18.03%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZSP.TO and ZAG.TO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ZSP.TO	ZAG.TO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-26.94%	-18.03%	-8.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-8.61%	-2.79%	-5.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.95%	-5.42%	-13.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-22.25%	-15.77%	-6.48%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.94%	-18.03%	-8.91%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.29%	-1.09%	+0.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.34%	-3.54%	+0.20%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.29%	1.19%	+1.10%

Volatility

ZSP.TO vs. ZAG.TO - Volatility Comparison

BMO S&P 500 Index ETF (ZSP.TO) has a higher volatility of 3.14% compared to BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF (ZAG.TO) at 1.68%. This indicates that ZSP.TO's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than ZAG.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	ZSP.TO	ZAG.TO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.14%	1.68%	+1.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	8.65%	3.43%	+5.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.53%	4.46%	+7.07%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	14.97%	6.58%	+8.39%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	16.36%	7.11%	+9.25%

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

Both ZSP.TO and ZAG.TO have an expense ratio of 0.09%, making them cost-effective options compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios typically range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

ZSP.TO vs. ZAG.TO - Dividend Comparison

ZSP.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.75%, less than ZAG.TO's 3.42% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ZAG.TO BMO Aggregate Bond Index ETF	3.42%	3.48%	3.44%	3.47%	3.56%	3.04%	2.88%	3.03%	2.92%	2.95%	3.07%	3.13%
ZSP.TO BMO S&P 500 Index ETF	0.75%	0.82%	0.94%	1.33%	1.44%	1.15%	1.44%	1.47%	1.63%	1.63%	2.20%	1.53%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ZSP.TO and ZAG.TO in my portfolio?

ZSP.TO and ZAG.TO have a correlation of 0.26, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, ZSP.TO or ZAG.TO?

Both ETFs have the same 0.09% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, ZSP.TO or ZAG.TO?

ZSP.TO and ZAG.TO have the same expense ratio: 0.09% per year.

What is the main difference between ZSP.TO and ZAG.TO?

ZSP.TO is categorized as S&P 500, while ZAG.TO is Canadian Government Bonds. ZSP.TO tracks S&P 500 Index, while ZAG.TO tracks FTSE Canada Universe Bond Index.