VS
Compare RBC 1-5 YEAR LADDERED CANADIAN BOND ETF (RLB) vs Desjardins Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF (DCU) to find the best fit for your portfolio. RLB provides Finance, Municipal, and Sovereign exposures, while DCU is primarily weighted in Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, RLB features a management fee (MER) of 0.22%, compared to 0.07% for DCU. Performance-wise, RLB has returned 0.6% year-to-date with +$57 M in net flows, whereas DCU is at 0.85% with +$890 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
RLB
DCU
| AuM | $215.68 M | $2,452.96 M |
| Management Fees | 0.22% | 0.07% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.25% | 0.08% |
| Tracking Difference | - | -0.06% |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 11, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | RLB | -0.48% | -0.62% | +0.60% | +1.08% | +14.91% |
DCU | -1.18% | -2.48% | -0.85% | -1.04% | +11.99% | |
| Flows | RLB | +$10 M | +$29 M | +$57 M | +$79 M | +$101 M |
DCU | +$114 M | +$311 M | +$890 M | +$1,222 M | +$2,320 M |
RLB vs DCU exposure
Countries
RLB
Canada
97.10%
DCU
Canada
96.98%
Sectors
RLB
Finance
49.64%
Municipal
13.62%
Sovereign
8.39%
Energy
7.06%
Other
21.29%
DCU
Sovereign
36.16%
Municipal
27.60%
Finance
12.31%
Government Agencies
9.56%
Other
14.37%
As of September 11, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
RLB
Bank of Nova Scotia, 3.61% 30jan2032, CAD
1.16%
CIBC, 3.65% 13jan2032, CAD
1.15%
Bank of Montreal, 3.539% 3mar2032, CAD
1.02%
Royal Bank of Canada, 3.626% 10dec2028, CAD
0.99%
Royal Bank of Canada, 3.985% 22jul2031, CAD
0.94%
Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec, 3.714% 16jul2031, CAD
0.91%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 3.687% 9jan2032, CAD
0.87%
National Bank of Canada, 5.219% 14jun2028, CAD
0.86%
Goldman Sachs, 3.641% 5mar2032, CAD
0.84%
Bank of Montreal, 4.42% 17jul2029, CAD
0.83%
DCU
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.43%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.43%
Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y
1.41%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.39%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.36%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
1.34%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.30%
Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y
1.24%
Canada, Bond 2 1jan2051 30Y
1.23%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.15%
Diversification
RLB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 317 total
9.56%
DCU
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,711 total
13.28%
Characteristics
Compare
RLB
DCU
| Provider | RBC Global Asset Management | Desjardins Investments |
| Management | Actively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | - | Solactive Canadian Bond Universe Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.56% | 3.37% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | January 1, 2016 | March 21, 2017 |
Frequently asked questions about RLB and DCU
Which ETF has performed better year to date: RLB or DCU?
As of September 11, 2026, RLB has returned 0.60% year to date, while DCU has returned -0.85%. RLB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: RLB or DCU?
As of September 11, 2026, RLB manages $215.68 M in assets, while DCU manages $2.45 B. DCU is the larger fund by AUM.
How are RLB and DCU managed?
RLB is actively managed by RBC Global Asset Management. It does not track an index. DCU is passively managed by Desjardins Investments. It tracks the Solactive Canadian Bond Universe Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do RLB and DCU emphasize?
RLB is most exposed to Finance, Municipal, and Sovereign. DCU is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: RLB or DCU?
Year to date, RLB has seen +$57.20 M in net flows, compared with +$889.79 M for DCU. DCU has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of RLB and DCU compare?
RLB has an expense ratio of 0.25%, while DCU has an expense ratio of 0.08%.
What are the top holdings of RLB and DCU?
RLB's largest holdings include Bank of Nova Scotia, 3.61% 30jan2032, CAD, CIBC, 3.65% 13jan2032, CAD, and Bank of Montreal, 3.539% 3mar2032, CAD. DCU's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, and Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y.
Which ETF is more diversified: RLB or DCU?
RLB holds 317 securities, while DCU holds 1711. On holdings count, DCU 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.

