VS
iShares 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond Index ETF (CLF) and iShares Canadian Real Return Bond Index ETF (XRB) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that CLF focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Municipal, Sovereign, and Government Agencies, while XRB leans towards Sovereign and Municipal. When evaluating costs, CLF features a management fee (MER) of 0.15%, compared to 0.35% for XRB. Performance-wise, CLF has returned 0.59% year-to-date with +$154 M in net flows, whereas XRB is at 3.66% with +$9 M. Use the comparison tool below to benchmark these funds across top 10 holdings, yield, sector weights and historical returns.
NAV Performance and Flows
Key Data
Compare
CLF
XRB
| AuM | $762.64 M | $263.29 M |
| Management Fees | 0.15% | 0.35% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.16% | 0.39% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 3, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | CLF | -0.52% | -0.29% | +0.59% | +1.52% | +13.05% |
XRB | -0.05% | -0.46% | +3.66% | +3.47% | +20.96% | |
| Flows | CLF | +$9 M | +$28 M | +$154 M | +$163 M | +$219 M |
XRB | -$9 M | -$2 M | +$9 M | +$5 M | -$135 M |
CLF vs XRB exposure
Countries
CLF
Canada
99.93%
XRB
Canada
99.99%
Sectors
CLF
Municipal
40.18%
Sovereign
39.70%
Government Agencies
11.11%
Finance
8.93%
XRB
Sovereign
88.90%
Municipal
11.10%
As of September 3, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
CLF
Canada, Bond 2 1jun2028 10Y
4.15%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2027, CAD
4.06%
Canada, Bond 2.25 1jun2029 10Y
2.80%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1sep2028, CAD
2.76%
Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y
2.69%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1dec2029, CAD
2.65%
Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y
2.62%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
2.61%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
2.60%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
2.59%
XRB
Canada, RRB 4% 1dec2031, CAD
14.73%
Canada, RRB 3% 1dec2036, CAD
13.90%
Canada, RRB 1.5% 1dec2044, CAD
12.96%
Canada, RRB 2% 1dec2041, CAD
12.47%
Canada, RRB 4.25% 1dec2026, CAD (VS05)
12.10%
Canada, RRB 1.25% 1dec2047, CAD
11.46%
Canada, RRB 0.5% 1dec2050, CAD
9.20%
Province of Ontario, 2% 1dec2036, CAD (DMTN158)
5.33%
Province of Quebec, 4.25% 1dec2031, CAD (PM)
2.42%
Canada, RRB 0.25r 1dec2054 30Y
2.08%
Diversification
CLF
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 84 total
29.53%
XRB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 13 total
96.64%
Characteristics
Compare
CLF
XRB
| Provider | iShares | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | FTSE Canada 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond TR Index - CAD | FTSE Canada Real Return Bond TR Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 2.30% | 2.39% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | January 31, 2008 | December 19, 2005 |
Frequently asked questions about CLF and XRB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: CLF or XRB?
As of September 3, 2026, CLF has returned 0.59% year to date, while XRB has returned 3.66%. XRB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: CLF or XRB?
As of September 3, 2026, CLF manages $762.64 M in assets, while XRB manages $263.29 M. CLF is the larger fund by AUM.
How are CLF and XRB managed?
CLF is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada 1-5 Year Laddered Government Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark. XRB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada Real Return Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do CLF and XRB emphasize?
CLF is most exposed to Municipal, Sovereign, and Government Agencies. XRB is most exposed to Sovereign and Municipal.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: CLF or XRB?
Year to date, CLF has seen +$154.49 M in net flows, compared with +$9.17 M for XRB. CLF has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of CLF and XRB compare?
CLF has an expense ratio of 0.16%, while XRB has an expense ratio of 0.39%.
What are the top holdings of CLF and XRB?
CLF's largest holdings include Canada, Bond 2 1jun2028 10Y, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2027, CAD, and Canada, Bond 2.25 1jun2029 10Y. XRB's top holdings include Canada, RRB 4% 1dec2031, CAD, Canada, RRB 3% 1dec2036, CAD, and Canada, RRB 1.5% 1dec2044, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: CLF or XRB?
CLF holds 84 securities, while XRB holds 13. On holdings count, CLF is the more diversified portfolio.
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All content on the ETF Market Canada is for your general information use only, Cboe is not responsible for any use of content by you outside this scope. In particular, the content does not constitute any form of advice, recommendation, representation, endorsement or arrangement by Cboe and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making (or refraining from making) any specific investment or other decisions.