A side-by-side comparison of BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond (ZST) and iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate + Maple Bond (XSH) 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 | ZST | XSH |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +0.04%✓ | -0.26% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.02% | +0.08%✓ |
| 1-Week Change | -0.16% | +0.26%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +0.04% | +0.47%✓ |
| Current Price | $49.06 | $19.11 |
| AUM | $3.53B✓ | $2.40B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.15% | 0%✓ |
| Dividend Yield | 2.58% | 3.91%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2011-01-28 | 2011-09-13 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Category | Canadian Short Term Fixed Income | Canadian Short Term Fixed Income |
| Beta | 0.06 | 1.06 |
| 52-Week High | $49.07 | $19.11 |
| 52-Week Low | $48.25 | $18.34 |
| 50-Day MA | $49.08 | $19.04 |
| 200-Day MA | $49.31 | $19.18 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ZST | XSH |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +0.04%✓ | -0.26% |
| 1 Year | +2.71% | +3.90%✓ |
| 3 Year | +4.23% | +6.01%✓ |
| 5 Year | +3.19%✓ | +2.86% |
| 10 Year | +2.48% | +2.86%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 0.17% | 1.66% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 2.82 | 1.04 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | Canada (Government of) 0% | 19.95% | |
| 2 | Purpose High Interest Savings ETF | 9.64% | |
| 3 | Dollarama Inc 2.34% | 6.57% | |
| 4 | The Toronto-Dominion Bank 1.99% | 6.43% | |
| 5 | Honda Canada Finance Inc. 1.82% | 4.85% | |
| 6 | Royal Bank of Canada 1.97% | 4.83% | |
| 7 | Daimler Canada Finance, Inc. 1.91% | 3.97% | |
| 8 | Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 2.04% | 3.43% | |
| 9 | Omers Realty Corporation 1.82% | 3.22% | |
| 10 | Bank of Nova Scotia 1.83% | 2.75% |
| 1 | Bank of Nova Scotia 2.38% | 1.39% | |
| 2 | The Toronto-Dominion Bank 3.11% | 1.15% | |
| 3 | Apple Inc. 2.51% | 0.97% | |
| 4 | Royal Bank of Canada 2.61% | 0.96% | |
| 5 | Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 2% | 0.92% | |
| 6 | Royal Bank of Canada 2.36% | 0.90% | |
| 7 | Bank of Nova Scotia 2.98% | 0.85% | |
| 8 | The Toronto-Dominion Bank 1.91% | 0.84% | |
| 9 | Bank Montreal Que 2.85% | 0.83% | |
| 10 | The Toronto-Dominion Bank 3% | 0.83% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ZST | XSH |
|---|---|---|
| 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 ZST
BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond (ZST.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
About XSH
Seeks income by replicating the performance of the FTSE Canada Universe + Maple Short Term Corporate Bond Index™, net of expenses.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ZST and XSH 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, ZST 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 ZST and XSH?
ZST (BMO Ultra Short-Term Bond) and XSH (iShares Core Canadian Short Term Corporate + Maple Bond) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($3.53B vs $2.40B), dividend yield (2.58% vs 3.91%), and year-to-date performance (+0.04% vs -0.26%).
Is ZST better than XSH?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, ZST has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ZST and XSH on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ZST and XSH should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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