A side-by-side comparison of BMO ESG Corporate Bond Index ETF (ESGB) and BMO Corporate Bond Index ETF (ZCB) 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 | ESGB | ZCB |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +1.11%✓ | +1.10% |
| 1-Day Change | -0.11%✓ | -0.13% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.04% | +0.13%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +0.64%✓ | +0.63% |
| Current Price | $28.13 | $47.81 |
| AUM | $85M | $1.93B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 3.91% | 4.03%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | — | — |
| Inception Date | 2020-01-15 | 2018-03-01 |
| Holdings Count | 10 | 9 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★ |
| Category | Canadian Corporate Fixed Income | Canadian Corporate Fixed Income |
| Beta | 0.92 | 0.95 |
| 52-Week High | $28.16 | $47.89 |
| 52-Week Low | $26.72 | $45.35 |
| 50-Day MA | $27.89 | $47.39 |
| 200-Day MA | $28.03 | $47.64 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | ESGB | ZCB |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +1.11%✓ | +1.10% |
| 1 Year | +4.37% | +4.63%✓ |
| 3 Year | +6.27%✓ | +6.22% |
| 5 Year | +2.11% | +2.13%✓ |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 2.90% | 3.08% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.57 | 0.55 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | The Toronto-Dominion Bank 1.94% | 1.82% | |
| 2 | Telus Corporation 2.35% | 1.65% | |
| 3 | Bank Montreal Que 3.19% | 1.44% | |
| 4 | Royal Bank of Canada 2.36% | 1.34% | |
| 5 | Sun Life Financial Inc. | 1.25% | |
| 6 | Royal Bank of Canada 2.35% | 1.23% | |
| 7 | Royal Bank of Canada 1.94% | 1.07% | |
| 8 | Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 2.97% | 1.06% | |
| 9 | Pembina Pipeline Corporation 3.62% | 1.05% | |
| 10 | Bank of Nova Scotia 2.49% | 1.04% |
| 1 | Metro Inc 3.39% | 1.63% | |
| 2 | 407 International Inc 3.14% | 1.31% | |
| 3 | Canadian Natural Resources Limited 3.42% | 1.26% | |
| 4 | Bank of Montreal 2.7% | 1.18% | |
| 5 | Hydro One Inc. 3.72% | 1.18% | |
| 6 | CU Inc 3.55% | 1.13% | |
| 7 | The Toronto-Dominion Bank | 1.06% | |
| 8 | Enbridge Pipelines Inc. 4.33% | 1.05% | |
| 9 | 407 International Inc 2.43% | 0.98% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | ESGB | ZCB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 ESGB
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About ZCB
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both ESGB and ZCB 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, ZCB 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 ESGB and ZCB?
ESGB (BMO ESG Corporate Bond Index ETF) and ZCB (BMO Corporate Bond Index ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($85M vs $1.93B), dividend yield (3.91% vs 4.03%), and year-to-date performance (+1.11% vs +1.10%).
Is ESGB better than ZCB?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, ESGB has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy ESGB and ZCB on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both ESGB and ZCB should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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