VS
Compare Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB) vs Desjardins Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF (DCU) to find the best fit for your portfolio. VAB and DCU provide the same top sector exposures: Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, VAB features a management fee (MER) of 0.08%, compared to 0.07% for DCU. Performance-wise, VAB has returned 1.57% year-to-date with +$1 B in net flows, whereas DCU is at 1.61% 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
VAB
DCU
| AuM | $7,826.78 M | $2,631.31 M |
| Management Fees | 0.08% | 0.07% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.09% | 0.08% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.39% | -0.03% |
Historical performance and flows
As of November 6, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VAB | +2.07% | +0.74% | +1.57% | +0.27% | +16.46% |
DCU | +2.03% | +0.73% | +1.61% | +0.34% | +14.50% | |
| Flows | VAB | +$69 M | +$316 M | +$1,380 M | +$1,677 M | +$3,449 M |
DCU | +$92 M | +$244 M | +$1,020 M | +$1,157 M | +$2,428 M |
VAB vs DCU exposure
Countries
VAB
Canada
94.18%
DCU
Canada
95.12%
Sectors
VAB
Sovereign
33.17%
Municipal
29.83%
Finance
12.87%
Government Agencies
7.38%
Other
16.75%
DCU
Sovereign
35.31%
Municipal
27.00%
Finance
12.02%
Government Agencies
9.48%
Other
16.20%
As of November 6, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
VAB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.80%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD
1.69%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.47%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.46%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.42%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.38%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.23%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1feb2028, CAD
1.13%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
1.12%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.12%
DCU
Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y
1.42%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.42%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.41%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.38%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD
1.36%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.36%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
1.35%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.31%
Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y
1.24%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
1.19%
Diversification
VAB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,324 total
13.81%
DCU
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,721 total
13.44%
Characteristics
Compare
VAB
DCU
| Provider | Vanguard | Desjardins Investments |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD | Solactive Canadian Bond Universe Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.41% | 3.33% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 30, 2011 | March 21, 2017 |
Frequently asked questions about VAB and DCU
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VAB or DCU?
As of November 6, 2026, VAB has returned 1.57% year to date, while DCU has returned 1.61%. DCU is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VAB or DCU?
As of November 6, 2026, VAB manages $7.83 B in assets, while DCU manages $2.63 B. VAB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VAB and DCU managed?
VAB is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD benchmark. DCU is passively managed by Desjardins Investments. It tracks the Solactive Canadian Bond Universe Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do VAB and DCU emphasize?
VAB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. DCU is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VAB or DCU?
Year to date, VAB has seen +$1,379.84 M in net flows, compared with +$1,020.23 M for DCU. VAB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VAB and DCU compare?
VAB has an expense ratio of 0.09%, while DCU has an expense ratio of 0.08%.
What are the top holdings of VAB and DCU?
VAB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD and Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD. DCU's top holdings include Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y and Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: VAB or DCU?
VAB holds 1284 securities, while DCU holds 1666. On holdings count, DCU is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about VAB and DCU
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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.