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Compare RBC 1-5 YEAR LADDERED CANADIAN BOND ETF (RLB) vs iShares Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF (XBB) to find the best fit for your portfolio. RLB provides Finance, Municipal, and Sovereign exposures, while XBB is primarily weighted in Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, RLB features a management fee (MER) of 0.22%, compared to 0.09% for XBB. Performance-wise, RLB has returned 0.6% year-to-date with +$57 M in net flows, whereas XBB is at 0.85% 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
RLB
XBB
| AuM | $215.68 M | $10,589.38 M |
| Management Fees | 0.22% | 0.09% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.25% | 0.10% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
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% |
XBB | -1.16% | -2.51% | -0.85% | -0.96% | +12.45% | |
| Flows | RLB | +$10 M | +$29 M | +$57 M | +$79 M | +$101 M |
XBB | +$677 M | +$873 M | +$1,812 M | +$2,627 M | +$5,159 M |
RLB vs XBB exposure
Countries
RLB
Canada
97.10%
XBB
Canada
97.34%
Sectors
RLB
Finance
49.64%
Municipal
13.62%
Sovereign
8.39%
Energy
7.06%
Other
21.29%
XBB
Sovereign
33.61%
Municipal
28.99%
Finance
14.34%
Government Agencies
7.06%
Other
16.00%
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%
XBB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.52%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.52%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.51%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.42%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.35%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1dec2057, CAD
1.24%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.23%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.22%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
1.13%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
1.12%
Diversification
RLB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 317 total
9.56%
XBB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,889 total
13.27%
Characteristics
Compare
RLB
XBB
| Provider | RBC Global Asset Management | 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 | 3.56% | 3.54% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | January 1, 2016 | November 20, 2000 |
Frequently asked questions about RLB and XBB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: RLB or XBB?
As of September 11, 2026, RLB has returned 0.60% year to date, while XBB has returned -0.85%. RLB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: RLB or XBB?
As of September 11, 2026, RLB manages $215.68 M in assets, while XBB manages $10.59 B. XBB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are RLB and XBB managed?
RLB is actively managed by RBC Global Asset Management. 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 RLB and XBB emphasize?
RLB is most exposed to Finance, Municipal, and Sovereign. XBB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: RLB or XBB?
Year to date, RLB has seen +$57.20 M in net flows, compared with +$1,812.26 M for XBB. XBB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of RLB and XBB compare?
RLB has an expense ratio of 0.25%, while XBB has an expense ratio of 0.10%.
What are the top holdings of RLB and XBB?
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. XBB'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: RLB or XBB?
RLB holds 317 securities, while XBB holds 1889. 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.

