A side-by-side comparison of BMO Balanced ETF (ZBAL) and iShares Core Conservative Balanced Portfolio (XCNS) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
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1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | ZBAL | XCNS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +7.70%✓ | +5.12% |
| 1-Day Change | 0.00% | +0.26%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | +1.07%✓ | +0.87% |
| 1-Month Change | +4.28%✓ | +3.02% |
| Current Price | $16.08 | $26.59 |
| AUM | $592M✓ | $398M |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 1.80% | 2.56%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Quarterly | — |
| Inception Date | 2019-02-12 | 2019-08-07 |
| Holdings Count | 8 | 8 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | Global Neutral Balanced | Global Neutral Balanced |
| Beta | 1.17 | 0.95 |
| 52-Week High | $16.08 | $26.74 |
| 52-Week Low | $13.32 | $23.44 |
| 50-Day MA | $15.37 | $25.76 |
| 200-Day MA | $15.06 | $25.59 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZBAL | XCNS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +7.70%✓ | +5.12% |
| 1 Year | +19.70%✓ | +13.83% |
| 3 Year | +14.91%✓ | +11.50% |
| 5 Year | +8.72%✓ | +6.14% |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 7.17% | 5.57% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | — | — |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | ZSP | BMO S&P 500 | 27.66% |
| 2 | ZDB | BMO Discount Bond | 27.55% |
| 3 | ZCN | BMO S&P/TSX Capped Composite | 14.68% |
| 4 | ZUAG-F | BMO US Aggregate Bond ETF Hedged Units | 11.79% |
| 5 | ZEA | BMO MSCI EAFE | 10.29% |
| 6 | ZEM | BMO MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF | 5.71% |
| 7 | ZMID | BMO S&P US Mid Cap Index ETF | 1.58% |
| 8 | ZSML | BMO S&P US Small Cap Index ETF | 0.75% |
| 1 | XBB | iShares Canadian Universe Bond | 37.03% |
| 2 | ITOT | iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | 18.98% |
| 3 | XIC | iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite | 10.51% |
| 4 | XEF | iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI | 10.49% |
| 5 | XSH | iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate + Maple Bond | 9.38% |
| 6 | USIG | iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | 5.57% |
| 7 | GOVT | iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF | 5.51% |
| 8 | XEC | iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets IMI Index ETF | 2.05% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZBAL | XCNS |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 7.48% | 7.17% |
| Communication Services | 6.80% | 6.45% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 8.27% | 7.86% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.74% | 4.45% |
| Energy | 7.47% | 7.10% |
| Financial Services | 19.85% | 20.12% |
| Healthcare | 6.87% | 6.65% |
| Industrials | 11.26% | 12.10% |
| Real Estate | 1.97% | 2.24% |
| Technology | 22.35% | 23.08% |
| Utilities | 2.95% | 2.78% |
About ZBAL
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About XCNS
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ZBAL and XCNS 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, ZBAL 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 ZBAL and XCNS?
ZBAL (BMO Balanced ETF) and XCNS (iShares Core Conservative Balanced Portfolio) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($592M vs $398M), dividend yield (1.80% vs 2.56%), and year-to-date performance (+7.70% vs +5.12%).
Is ZBAL better than XCNS?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, ZBAL has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ZBAL and XCNS on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZBAL and XCNS should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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