VS
Compare Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB) vs iShares Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF (XBB) to find the best fit for your portfolio. VAB and XBB provide the same top sector exposures: Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, VAB features a management fee (MER) of 0.08%, compared to 0.09% for XBB. Performance-wise, VAB has returned 1.57% year-to-date with +$1 B in net flows, whereas XBB is at 1.62% 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
VAB
XBB
| AuM | $7,826.78 M | $11,079.49 M |
| Management Fees | 0.08% | 0.09% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.09% | 0.10% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.39% | - |
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% |
XBB | +2.06% | +0.75% | +1.62% | +0.38% | +14.97% | |
| Flows | VAB | +$69 M | +$316 M | +$1,380 M | +$1,677 M | +$3,449 M |
XBB | -$36 M | +$1,069 M | +$2,099 M | +$2,498 M | +$4,501 M |
VAB vs XBB exposure
Countries
VAB
Canada
94.18%
XBB
Canada
95.50%
Sectors
VAB
Sovereign
33.17%
Municipal
29.83%
Finance
12.87%
Government Agencies
7.38%
Other
16.75%
XBB
Sovereign
33.30%
Municipal
28.35%
Finance
13.96%
Government Agencies
7.14%
Other
17.25%
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%
XBB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.50%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.50%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.48%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD
1.45%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.44%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.38%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.20%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.19%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1dec2057, CAD
1.13%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
1.11%
Diversification
VAB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,324 total
13.81%
XBB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,921 total
13.38%
Characteristics
Compare
VAB
XBB
| Provider | Vanguard | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD | FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.41% | 3.48% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 30, 2011 | November 20, 2000 |
Frequently asked questions about VAB and XBB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VAB or XBB?
As of November 6, 2026, VAB has returned 1.57% year to date, while XBB has returned 1.62%. XBB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VAB or XBB?
As of November 6, 2026, VAB manages $7.83 B in assets, while XBB manages $11.08 B. XBB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VAB and XBB managed?
VAB is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD benchmark. XBB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do VAB and XBB emphasize?
VAB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. XBB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VAB or XBB?
Year to date, VAB has seen +$1,379.84 M in net flows, compared with +$2,098.75 M for XBB. XBB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VAB and XBB compare?
VAB has an expense ratio of 0.09%, while XBB has an expense ratio of 0.10%.
What are the top holdings of VAB and XBB?
VAB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD and Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD. XBB's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD and Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: VAB or XBB?
VAB holds 1284 securities, while XBB holds 1855. On holdings count, XBB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about VAB and XBB
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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.