A side-by-side comparison of BMO Long Federal Bond Index ETF (ZFL) and BMO Short Corporate Bond Index ETF (ZCS) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | ZFL | ZCS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -2.95% | -2.07%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.44%✓ | -0.22% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.65% | -0.43%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +2.85%✓ | 0.00% |
| Current Price | $11.53 | $13.75 |
| AUM | $1.39B | $5.38B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | — |
| Dividend Yield | 3.00% | 3.94%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2010-05-19 | 2009-10-20 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Canadian Bonds | Canadian Bonds |
| Beta | 1.15 | 1.06 |
| 52-Week High | $12.28 | $13.82 |
| 52-Week Low | $11.07 | $13.48 |
| 50-Day MA | $11.42 | $13.83 |
| 200-Day MA | $11.87 | $13.95 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZFL | ZCS |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -2.95% | -2.07%✓ |
| 1 Year | -6.70% | +1.31%✓ |
| 3 Year | +1.51% | +5.81%✓ |
| 5 Year | -4.80% | +3.13%✓ |
| 10 Year | -1.83% | +2.70%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 9.55% | 1.74% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | -0.16 | 1.08 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | USB | U.S. Bancorp | 11.07% |
| 2 | PNC | PNC Financial Services Group Inc | 10.12% |
| 3 | BK | The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation | 10.33% |
| 4 | BAC | Bank of America Corp | 10.41% |
| 5 | WFC | Wells Fargo & Company | 9.72% |
| 6 | C | Citigroup Inc. | 9.80% |
| 7 | JPM | JPMorgan Chase & Co | 9.50% |
| 8 | GS | Goldman Sachs Group Inc | 9.62% |
| 9 | SCHW | Charles Schwab Corp | 9.15% |
| 10 | MS | Morgan Stanley | 8.99% |
| 1 | Bank of Nova Scotia 2.38% | 1.71% | |
| 2 | Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 3.3% | 1.34% | |
| 3 | Royal Bank of Canada 2.35% | 1.26% | |
| 4 | Bank of Montreal 2.7% | 1.25% | |
| 5 | Bank of Montreal 2.27% | 1.12% | |
| 6 | Royal Bank of Canada 3.3% | 1.12% | |
| 7 | Royal Bank of Canada 2.61% | 1.03% | |
| 8 | Bank of Nova Scotia 2.98% | 1.02% | |
| 9 | The Toronto-Dominion Bank | 0.99% | |
| 10 | The Toronto-Dominion Bank 3% | 0.99% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZFL | ZCS |
|---|---|---|
| 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 ZFL
The BMO Long Federal Bond Index ETF has been designed to replicate, to the extent possible, the performance of the FTSE TMX Canada Long Term Federal 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 issued or guaranteed by the Government of Canada, by various agencies of the Government of Canada, and by various instrumentalities that have been established or sponsored …
About ZCS
The BMO Short Corporate Bond Index ETF has been designed to replicate, to the extent possible, the performance of the FTSE TMX Canada Short Term Corporate Bond Index, net of expenses. BMO Short Corporate Bond ETF invests in a variety of debt securities primarily with a term to maturity between one and five 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 ZFL and ZCS 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, ZCS 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 ZFL and ZCS?
ZFL (BMO Long Federal Bond Index ETF) and ZCS (BMO Short Corporate Bond Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($1.39B vs $5.38B), dividend yield (3.00% vs 3.94%), and year-to-date performance (-2.95% vs -2.07%).
Is ZFL better than ZCS?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ZFL and ZCS on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZFL and ZCS should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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