VS
Compare Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB) vs iShares Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF (XSB) to find the best fit for your portfolio. VAB provides Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance exposures, while XSB is primarily weighted in Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal. When evaluating costs, VAB features a management fee (MER) of 0.08%, compared to 0.09% for XSB. Performance-wise, VAB has returned 1.57% year-to-date with +$1 B in net flows, whereas XSB is at 1.64% 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
XSB
| AuM | $7,826.78 M | $4,538.08 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% |
XSB | +0.82% | +0.44% | +1.64% | +1.45% | +14.34% | |
| Flows | VAB | +$69 M | +$316 M | +$1,380 M | +$1,677 M | +$3,449 M |
XSB | -$19 M | +$112 M | +$1,007 M | +$1,207 M | +$2,263 M |
VAB vs XSB exposure
Countries
VAB
Canada
94.18%
XSB
Canada
95.41%
Sectors
VAB
Sovereign
33.17%
Municipal
29.83%
Finance
12.87%
Government Agencies
7.38%
Other
16.75%
XSB
Sovereign
38.09%
Finance
23.89%
Municipal
15.14%
Government Agencies
9.68%
Other
13.20%
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%
XSB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
3.40%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
3.39%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD
2.99%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
2.68%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
2.55%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
2.46%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1nov2027, CAD
2.44%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1feb2028, CAD
2.44%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
2.42%
Canada, Bonds 4% 1mar2029, CAD
2.36%
Diversification
VAB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,324 total
13.81%
XSB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 782 total
27.13%
Characteristics
Compare
VAB
XSB
| Provider | Vanguard | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD | FTSE Canada Short Term Overall 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% | 3.10% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 30, 2011 | November 20, 2000 |
Frequently asked questions about VAB and XSB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VAB or XSB?
As of November 6, 2026, VAB has returned 1.57% year to date, while XSB has returned 1.64%. XSB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VAB or XSB?
As of November 6, 2026, VAB manages $7.83 B in assets, while XSB manages $4.54 B. VAB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VAB and XSB managed?
VAB is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD benchmark. XSB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada Short Term Overall Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do VAB and XSB emphasize?
VAB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. XSB is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VAB or XSB?
Year to date, VAB has seen +$1,379.84 M in net flows, compared with +$1,006.62 M for XSB. VAB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VAB and XSB compare?
VAB has an expense ratio of 0.09%, while XSB has an expense ratio of 0.10%.
What are the top holdings of VAB and XSB?
VAB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD and Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD. XSB's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: VAB or XSB?
VAB holds 1284 securities, while XSB holds 745. On holdings count, VAB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about VAB and XSB
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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.