VS
Compare Mackenzie Canadian Short-Term Bond Index ETF (QSB) vs Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB) to find the best fit for your portfolio. QSB provides Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal exposures, while VAB is primarily weighted in Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, QSB features a management fee (MER) of 0.08%, compared to 0.08% for VAB. Performance-wise, QSB has returned 0.94% year-to-date with +$6 M in net flows, whereas VAB is at 0.01% with +$1 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
QSB
VAB
| AuM | $55.34 M | $7,563.62 M |
| Management Fees | 0.08% | 0.08% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.09% | 0.09% |
| Tracking Difference | 0.06% | -0.38% |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 2, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | QSB | -0.40% | -0.09% | +0.94% | +2.10% | +14.80% |
VAB | -1.21% | -1.59% | -0.01% | +1.50% | +14.96% | |
| Flows | QSB | +$10 M | +$4 M | +$6 M | +$10 M | -$92 M |
VAB | +$138 M | +$422 M | +$1,195 M | +$1,973 M | +$3,386 M |
QSB vs VAB exposure
Countries
QSB
Canada
96.49%
VAB
Canada
96.44%
Sectors
QSB
Sovereign
27.52%
Finance
26.83%
Municipal
18.24%
Government Agencies
14.32%
Other
13.10%
VAB
Sovereign
34.45%
Municipal
30.47%
Finance
13.10%
Government Agencies
7.29%
Other
14.69%
As of September 2, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
QSB
Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y
6.62%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
3.87%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
3.35%
Canada Housing Trust, 3.1% 15jun2028, CAD (113)
2.75%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
2.69%
Canada, Bonds 4% 1mar2029, CAD
2.49%
Canada Housing Trust, 2.85% 15dec2030, CAD (129)
2.30%
CMHC, 1.75% 15jun2030, CAD (92)
2.27%
Province of Ontario, 2.15% 2jun2031, CAD (DMTN249)
1.92%
CMHC, 3.2% 15jun2031, CAD (132)
1.81%
VAB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.82%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.63%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.56%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.51%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.44%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.22%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.18%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
1.16%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
1.14%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1dec2057, CAD
1.13%
Diversification
QSB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 217 total
30.08%
VAB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,305 total
13.78%
Characteristics
Compare
QSB
VAB
| Provider | Mackenzie Investments | Vanguard |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Solactive Canadian Select Short Term Bond Index - CAD | Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 2.85% | 3.45% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | January 29, 2018 | November 30, 2011 |
Frequently asked questions about QSB and VAB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: QSB or VAB?
As of September 2, 2026, QSB has returned 0.94% year to date, while VAB has returned -0.01%. QSB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: QSB or VAB?
As of September 2, 2026, QSB manages $55.34 M in assets, while VAB manages $7.56 B. VAB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are QSB and VAB managed?
QSB is passively managed by Mackenzie Investments. It tracks the Solactive Canadian Select Short Term Bond Index - CAD benchmark. VAB is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do QSB and VAB emphasize?
QSB is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal. VAB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: QSB or VAB?
Year to date, QSB has seen +$6.02 M in net flows, compared with +$1,194.91 M for VAB. VAB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of QSB and VAB compare?
QSB has an expense ratio of 0.09%, while VAB has an expense ratio of 0.09%.
What are the top holdings of QSB and VAB?
QSB's largest holdings include Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD. VAB's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: QSB or VAB?
QSB holds 217 securities, while VAB holds 1305. On holdings count, VAB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about QSB and VAB
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