A side-by-side comparison of TD Canadian Long Term Federal Bond ETF (TCLB) and BMO Long Corporate Bond Index ETF (ZLC) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
CIBC Investor's Edge
Transfer your investments to CIBC Investor's Edge and get rewarded with an offer of up to $3,000.
- ✓$6.95 flat-rate commissions
- ✓Backed by Big Five bank security
- ✓Transfer bonus offer up to $3,000
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | TCLB | ZLC |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +2.32%✓ | +1.39% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.05% | +0.33%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +0.65% | +0.69%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +2.30%✓ | +1.93% |
| Current Price | $113.66 | $15.30 |
| AUM | $392M✓ | $298M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 3.33% | 4.68%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | — | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2019-11-19 | 2010-01-19 |
| Holdings Count | 1 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Category | Canadian Long Term Fixed Income | Canadian Long Term Fixed Income |
| Beta | 1.02 | 0.86 |
| 52-Week High | $116.20 | $15.36 |
| 52-Week Low | $107.83 | $14.21 |
| 50-Day MA | $111.62 | $15.00 |
| 200-Day MA | $113.76 | $15.22 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | TCLB | ZLC |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +2.32%✓ | +1.39% |
| 1 Year | -0.70% | +3.58%✓ |
| 3 Year | +0.67% | +5.35%✓ |
| 5 Year | -2.33% | +1.04%✓ |
| 10 Year | — | +2.73% |
| 1Y Volatility | 8.68% | 6.50% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | -0.23 | 0.25 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Sector Weights
| Sector | TCLB | ZLC |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About TCLB
TD Canadian Long Term Federal Bond ETF (TCLB.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About ZLC
The BMO Long Corporate Bond Index ETF has been designed to replicate, to the extent possible, the performance of the FTSE TMX Canada Long Term Corporate Bond Index, net of expenses. The Fund invests in a variety of debt securities primarily with a term to maturity greater than ten years. Securities held in the Index are generally corporate bonds issued domestically in Canada in Canadian dollars, with an investment grade rating.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both TCLB and ZLC are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, TCLB scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between TCLB and ZLC?
TCLB (TD Canadian Long Term Federal Bond ETF) and ZLC (BMO Long Corporate Bond Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($392M vs $298M), dividend yield (3.33% vs 4.68%), and year-to-date performance (+2.32% vs +1.39%).
Is TCLB better than ZLC?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, TCLB has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy TCLB and ZLC on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both TCLB and ZLC should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
7 stocks to buy and hold forever
Complement your ETF portfolio with these proven long-term individual stocks.
Get the FREE Report