ZST.TO vs. XSAB.TO
ZST.TO (BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF) and XSAB.TO (iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF) are both Canadian Government Bonds funds. ZST.TO is actively managed, while XSAB.TO is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, ZST.TO returned 2.95%/yr vs 0.59%/yr for XSAB.TO. At a 0.25 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. Both charge a 0.17% expense ratio.
Performance
ZST.TO vs. XSAB.TO - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, ZST.TO achieves a 1.08% return, which is significantly lower than XSAB.TO's 1.55% return.
ZST.TO
- 1D
- 0.02%
- 1M
- 0.25%
- YTD
- 1.08%
- 6M
- 0.26%
- 1Y
- 1.68%
- 3Y*
- 3.84%
- 5Y*
- 2.95%
- 10Y*
- 2.34%
XSAB.TO
- 1D
- -0.17%
- 1M
- 1.68%
- YTD
- 1.55%
- 6M
- 0.71%
- 1Y
- 2.91%
- 3Y*
- 3.81%
- 5Y*
- 0.59%
- 10Y*
- —
ZST.TO vs. XSAB.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ZST.TO BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF | 1.08% | 2.03% | 5.16% | 5.33% | 1.19% | 0.22% | 1.74% | 1.58% |
XSAB.TO iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF | 1.55% | 2.22% | 4.03% | 6.35% | -11.42% | -2.71% | 7.79% | 2.30% |
Correlation
The correlation between ZST.TO and XSAB.TO is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.32 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.31 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Mar 29, 2019 | 0.25 |
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
ZST.TO vs. XSAB.TO — Risk / Return Rank
ZST.TO
XSAB.TO
ZST.TO vs. XSAB.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (ZST.TO) and iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (XSAB.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.
| ZST.TO | XSAB.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.86 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +0.67 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.83 | 1.12 | +0.70 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.68 | 1.07 | +0.61 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.51 | 2.50 | +2.01 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading charts...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| ZST.TO | XSAB.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.56 | 0.69 | +0.86 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 4.12 | 0.09 | +4.03 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 3.30 | — | — |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 1.81 | 0.18 | +1.62 |
Drawdowns
ZST.TO vs. XSAB.TO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum ZST.TO drawdown since its inception was -1.06%, smaller than the maximum XSAB.TO drawdown of -17.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ZST.TO and XSAB.TO.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| ZST.TO | XSAB.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -1.06% | -17.96% | +16.90% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -1.01% | -2.72% | +1.71% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -1.01% | -5.30% | +4.29% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -1.01% | -15.66% | +14.65% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -1.06% | — | — |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -0.00% | -1.92% | +1.92% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -0.13% | -6.48% | +6.35% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 0.37% | 1.17% | -0.80% |
Volatility
ZST.TO vs. XSAB.TO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF (ZST.TO) is 0.08%, while iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (XSAB.TO) has a volatility of 1.50%. This indicates that ZST.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XSAB.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| ZST.TO | XSAB.TO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 0.08% | 1.50% | -1.42% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.05% | 3.30% | -2.25% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.08% | 4.22% | -3.14% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 0.72% | 6.33% | -5.61% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 0.71% | 6.67% | -5.96% |
ZST.TO vs. XSAB.TO - Expense Ratio Comparison
Both ZST.TO and XSAB.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
ZST.TO vs. XSAB.TO - Dividend Comparison
ZST.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.55%, less than XSAB.TO's 3.26% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XSAB.TO iShares ESG Aware Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF | 3.26% | 3.20% | 3.01% | 2.81% | 2.75% | 2.35% | 2.49% | 2.05% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
ZST.TO BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond ETF | 2.55% | 2.82% | 4.65% | 4.79% | 2.75% | 2.29% | 2.65% | 2.82% | 3.43% | 4.05% | 3.92% | 3.90% |
Frequently Asked Questions
ZST.TO and XSAB.TO have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
Both ETFs have the same 0.17% expense ratio. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.
ZST.TO and XSAB.TO have the same expense ratio: 0.17% per year.
They also come from different issuers: BMO and iShares.
Find the right allocation for ZST.TO and XSAB.TO
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer