VS
Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VBU) and RBC Short Term U.S. Corporate Bond ETF (RUSB) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that VBU focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Sovereign, Finance, and Industrials, while RUSB leans towards Finance, Utilities, and Technology. When evaluating costs, VBU features a management fee (MER) of 0.2%, compared to 0.35% for RUSB. Performance-wise, VBU has returned 4.07% year-to-date with +$381 M in net flows, whereas RUSB is at 3.5% with +$1 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
VBU
RUSB
| AuM | $1,866.23 M | $5.93 M |
| Management Fees | 0.20% | 0.35% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.23% | 0.40% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.53% | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 2, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VBU | -2.51% | -3.82% | -4.07% | -4.04% | +9.74% |
RUSB | +1.68% | -0.76% | +3.50% | +2.47% | +20.69% | |
| Flows | VBU | +$29 M | +$88 M | +$381 M | +$542 M | +$1,085 M |
RUSB | -$1 M | +$0 M | +$1 M | +$1 M | +$4 M |
VBU vs RUSB exposure
Countries
VBU
USA
75.17%
Other
18.96%
RUSB
USA
80.32%
Other
19.68%
Sectors
VBU
Sovereign
47.53%
Other
18.96%
Finance
10.71%
Industrials
7.30%
Other
15.51%
RUSB
Finance
48.48%
Utilities
7.11%
Other
44.41%
As of October 2, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
VBU
USA, Notes 3.5% 31jan2028, USD (U-2028)
0.47%
USA, Notes 4.25% 15nov2034, USD (F-2034)
0.41%
USA, Notes 4.375% 15may2034, USD (C-2034)
0.41%
USA, Notes 3.375% 30nov2027, USD (BL-2027)
0.40%
USA, Notes 4.625% 15feb2035, USD (B-2035)
0.40%
USA, Notes 3.875% 15aug2034, USD (E-2034)
0.40%
USA, Notes 4% 15feb2034, USD (B-2034)
0.39%
USA, Notes 4.125% 15feb2036, USD (B-2036)
0.39%
USA, Notes 4.25% 15aug2035, USD (E-2035)
0.38%
USA, Notes 4.5% 15nov2033, USD (F-2033)
0.38%
RUSB
USA, Notes 4.125% 31oct2029, USD (AF-2029)
2.22%
USA, Notes 3.875% 30apr2030, USD (Y-2030)
2.05%
USA, Notes 4.875% 31oct2030, USD (R-2030)
1.72%
Morgan Stanley, 4.21% 20apr2028, USD (I)
1.15%
Bank of America Corporation, 4.376% 27apr2028, USD (N)
1.11%
Goldman Sachs, 6.484% 24oct2029, USD
1.11%
US48128BAV36
1.03%
US00287YEN58
1.01%
Lincoln Financial Global Funding, 4.95% 21may2031, USD (2026-2)
1.01%
Morgan Stanley, 5.164% 20apr2029, USD (I)
0.96%
Diversification
VBU
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 15,072 total
4.04%
RUSB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 173 total
13.36%
Characteristics
Compare
VBU
RUSB
| Provider | Vanguard | RBC Global Asset Management |
| Management | Passively managed | Actively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Bond (CAD Hedged) Total Return Index - CAD | - |
| Replication Method | Other | - |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.84% | 4.31% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | June 30, 2014 | October 19, 2017 |
Frequently asked questions about VBU and RUSB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VBU or RUSB?
As of October 2, 2026, VBU has returned -4.07% year to date, while RUSB has returned 3.50%. RUSB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VBU or RUSB?
As of October 2, 2026, VBU manages $1.87 B in assets, while RUSB manages $5.93 M. VBU is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VBU and RUSB managed?
VBU is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Bond (CAD Hedged) Total Return Index - CAD benchmark. RUSB is actively managed by RBC Global Asset Management. It does not track an index.
What sectors do VBU and RUSB emphasize?
VBU is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Industrials. RUSB is most exposed to Finance, Utilities, and Technology.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VBU or RUSB?
Year to date, VBU has seen +$381.12 M in net flows, compared with +$1.08 M for RUSB. VBU has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VBU and RUSB compare?
VBU has an expense ratio of 0.23%, while RUSB has an expense ratio of 0.40%.
What are the top holdings of VBU and RUSB?
VBU's largest holdings include USA, Notes 3.5% 31jan2028, USD (U-2028) and USA, Notes 4.25% 15nov2034, USD (F-2034). RUSB's top holdings include USA, Notes 4.125% 31oct2029, USD (AF-2029) and USA, Notes 3.875% 30apr2030, USD (Y-2030).
Which ETF is more diversified: VBU or RUSB?
VBU holds 9484 securities, while RUSB holds 169. On holdings count, VBU is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about VBU and RUSB
Benefiting from active management in Fixed Income
Passive index investment strategies are designed to mirror the composition and performance of a benchmark index. In contrast, active strategies can differ from the index in the pursuit of better returns.
Posted on 4/25/2024 by Kyle Anthony inFixed Income
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