VS
Compare NBI Sustainable Canadian Short Term Bond ETF (NSSB) vs iShares Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF (XBB) to find the best fit for your portfolio. NSSB provides Finance, Utilities, and Sovereign exposures, while XBB is primarily weighted in Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, NSSB features a management fee (MER) of 0.25%, compared to 0.09% for XBB. Performance-wise, NSSB has returned 1.67% year-to-date with +$4 M in net flows, whereas XBB is at 0.07% with +$2 B. 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
NSSB
XBB
| AuM | $50.99 M | $10,955.39 M |
| Management Fees | 0.25% | 0.09% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.28% | 0.10% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 20, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | NSSB | -0.34% | -1.39% | -1.67% | -2.70% | +13.69% |
XBB | -0.06% | -1.12% | -0.07% | -1.25% | +15.79% | |
| Flows | NSSB | +$1 M | +$2 M | +$4 M | +$6 M | +$6 M |
XBB | +$164 M | +$1,077 M | +$2,126 M | +$2,700 M | +$4,882 M |
NSSB vs XBB exposure
Countries
NSSB
Canada
93.85%
XBB
Canada
96.80%
Sectors
NSSB
Finance
44.13%
Utilities
14.09%
Sovereign
13.34%
Industrials
10.45%
Telecommunications
7.99%
Other
10.01%
XBB
Sovereign
33.82%
Municipal
28.72%
Finance
14.06%
Government Agencies
7.21%
Other
16.19%
As of October 20, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
NSSB
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1dec2029, CAD
13.34%
Royal Bank of Canada, 3.985% 22jul2031, CAD
3.41%
Bank of America Corporation, 3.615% 16mar2028, CAD (N)
2.82%
407 International, 6.47% 27jul2029, CAD (99A-2)
2.59%
Ontario Power Generation, 3.215% 8apr2030, CAD (7)
2.56%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 5.491% 8sep2028, CAD
2.50%
Hydro One Inc, 3.94% 25aug2032, CAD (61)
2.34%
Bell Canada, 2.2% 29may2028, CAD (M-56)
2.31%
Ivanhoe Cambridge II, 4.994% 2jun2028, CAD (3)
2.26%
Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec, 4.123% 25aug2032, CAD
2.20%
XBB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.54%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.52%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.50%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.46%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.40%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD
1.28%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.21%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.21%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1dec2057, CAD
1.16%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
1.14%
Diversification
NSSB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 69 total
36.33%
XBB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,904 total
13.40%
Characteristics
Compare
NSSB
XBB
| Provider | National Bank Investments | iShares |
| Management | Actively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | - | FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | - | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 0.00% | 3.52% |
| Meets ESG criteria | Yes | No |
| Inception Date | January 20, 2022 | November 20, 2000 |
Frequently asked questions about NSSB and XBB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: NSSB or XBB?
As of October 20, 2026, NSSB has returned -1.67% year to date, while XBB has returned -0.07%. XBB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: NSSB or XBB?
As of October 20, 2026, NSSB manages $50.99 M in assets, while XBB manages $10.96 B. XBB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are NSSB and XBB managed?
NSSB is actively managed by National Bank Investments. It does not track an index. XBB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do NSSB and XBB emphasize?
NSSB is most exposed to Finance, Utilities, and Sovereign. XBB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: NSSB or XBB?
Year to date, NSSB has seen +$4.08 M in net flows, compared with +$2,126.21 M for XBB. XBB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of NSSB and XBB compare?
NSSB has an expense ratio of 0.28%, while XBB has an expense ratio of 0.10%.
What are the top holdings of NSSB and XBB?
NSSB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1dec2029, CAD, Royal Bank of Canada, 3.985% 22jul2031, CAD, and Bank of America Corporation, 3.615% 16mar2028, CAD (N). XBB's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: NSSB or XBB?
NSSB holds 69 securities, while XBB holds 1878. On holdings count, XBB 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.