A side-by-side comparison of iShares Core Conservative Balanced Portfolio (XCNS) and BMO Balanced ETF (ZBAL) 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 | XCNS | ZBAL |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +5.59% | +8.37%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.34%✓ | -1.64% |
| 1-Week Change | +0.07% | +0.12%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +1.87%✓ | +2.60% |
| Current Price | $26.71 | $16.18 |
| AUM | $403M | $611M✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 2.50%✓ | 1.74% |
| Distribution Frequency | — | Quarterly |
| Inception Date | 2019-08-07 | 2019-02-12 |
| Holdings Count | 8 | 8 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | Global Neutral Balanced | Global Neutral Balanced |
| Beta | 0.95 | 1.17 |
| 52-Week High | $26.82 | $16.45 |
| 52-Week Low | $23.67 | $13.50 |
| 50-Day MA | $26.14 | $15.69 |
| 200-Day MA | $25.71 | $15.18 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XCNS | ZBAL |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +5.59% | +8.37%✓ |
| 1 Year | +13.57% | +19.03%✓ |
| 3 Year | +11.41% | +14.61%✓ |
| 5 Year | +5.89% | +8.56%✓ |
| 10 Year | — | — |
| 1Y Volatility | 5.57% | 7.17% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 1.21 | 1.41 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | XBB | iShares Canadian Universe Bond | 36.40% |
| 2 | ITOT | iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF | 19.66% |
| 3 | XEF | iShares Core MSCI EAFE IMI | 10.62% |
| 4 | XIC | iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite | 10.45% |
| 5 | XSB | iShares Canadian Short Term Bond | 9.18% |
| 6 | USIG | iShares Broad USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF | 5.50% |
| 7 | GOVT | iShares U.S. Treasury Bond ETF | 5.41% |
| 8 | IEMG | iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 2.16% |
| 1 | ZSP | BMO S&P 500 | 28.28% |
| 2 | ZDB | BMO Discount Bond | 27.09% |
| 3 | ZCN | BMO S&P/TSX Capped Composite | 14.68% |
| 4 | ZUAG-F | BMO US Aggregate Bond ETF Hedged Units | 11.51% |
| 5 | ZEA | BMO MSCI EAFE | 10.41% |
| 6 | ZEM | BMO MSCI Emerging Markets Index ETF | 5.74% |
| 7 | ZMID | BMO S&P US Mid Cap Index ETF | 1.56% |
| 8 | ZSML | BMO S&P US Small Cap Index ETF | 0.73% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XCNS | ZBAL |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 6.70% | 7.30% |
| Communication Services | 6.26% | 6.98% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 7.78% | 8.33% |
| Consumer Defensive | 4.51% | 4.48% |
| Energy | 7.10% | 6.87% |
| Financial Services | 20.62% | 20.03% |
| Healthcare | 6.84% | 6.55% |
| Industrials | 12.09% | 11.12% |
| Real Estate | 2.25% | 1.95% |
| Technology | 23.11% | 23.58% |
| Utilities | 2.76% | 2.81% |
About XCNS
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About ZBAL
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Which ETF is Right for You?
Both XCNS and ZBAL 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 XCNS and ZBAL?
XCNS (iShares Core Conservative Balanced Portfolio) and ZBAL (BMO Balanced ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($403M vs $611M), dividend yield (2.50% vs 1.74%), and year-to-date performance (+5.59% vs +8.37%).
Is XCNS better than ZBAL?
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 XCNS and ZBAL on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XCNS and ZBAL should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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