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Compare Vanguard U.S. Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VBU) vs iShares Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF (XBB) to find the best fit for your portfolio. VBU provides Sovereign, Finance, and Industrials exposures, while XBB is primarily weighted in Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, VBU features a management fee (MER) of 0.2%, compared to 0.09% for XBB. Performance-wise, VBU has returned 2.39% year-to-date with +$360 M in net flows, whereas XBB is at 0.87% 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
VBU
XBB
| AuM | $1,882.30 M | $10,584.22 M |
| Management Fees | 0.20% | 0.09% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.23% | 0.10% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.54% | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 10, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VBU | -1.01% | -1.65% | -2.39% | -2.30% | +9.11% |
XBB | -1.12% | -2.03% | -0.87% | -0.85% | +12.43% | |
| Flows | VBU | +$33 M | +$119 M | +$360 M | +$545 M | +$1,073 M |
XBB | +$674 M | +$870 M | +$1,810 M | +$2,610 M | +$5,156 M |
VBU vs XBB exposure
Countries
VBU
USA
76.35%
Other
17.66%
XBB
Canada
97.34%
Sectors
VBU
Sovereign
48.70%
Other
17.66%
Finance
10.74%
Industrials
7.30%
Other
15.59%
XBB
Sovereign
33.61%
Municipal
28.99%
Finance
14.34%
Government Agencies
7.06%
Other
16.00%
As of September 10, 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 3.375% 30nov2027, USD (BL-2027)
0.40%
USA, Notes 4.375% 15may2034, USD (C-2034)
0.40%
USA, Notes 4.625% 15feb2035, USD (B-2035)
0.40%
USA, Notes 3.875% 15aug2034, USD (E-2034)
0.40%
USA, Notes 4.125% 15feb2036, USD (B-2036)
0.39%
USA, Notes 4% 15feb2034, USD (B-2034)
0.39%
USA, Notes 4.5% 15nov2033, USD (F-2033)
0.38%
USA, Notes 4.25% 15aug2035, USD (E-2035)
0.38%
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
VBU
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 15,693 total
4.03%
XBB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,889 total
13.27%
Characteristics
Compare
VBU
XBB
| Provider | Vanguard | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Bond (CAD Hedged) Total Return Index - CAD | 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 | 3.75% | 3.54% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | June 30, 2014 | November 20, 2000 |
Frequently asked questions about VBU and XBB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VBU or XBB?
As of September 10, 2026, VBU has returned -2.39% year to date, while XBB has returned -0.87%. XBB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VBU or XBB?
As of September 10, 2026, VBU manages $1.88 B in assets, while XBB manages $10.58 B. XBB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VBU and XBB managed?
VBU is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Bond (CAD Hedged) 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 VBU and XBB emphasize?
VBU is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Industrials. XBB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VBU or XBB?
Year to date, VBU has seen +$359.52 M in net flows, compared with +$1,809.53 M for XBB. XBB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VBU and XBB compare?
VBU has an expense ratio of 0.23%, while XBB has an expense ratio of 0.10%.
What are the top holdings of VBU and XBB?
VBU's largest holdings include USA, Notes 3.5% 31jan2028, USD (U-2028) and USA, Notes 4.25% 15nov2034, USD (F-2034). 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: VBU or XBB?
VBU holds 9573 securities, while XBB holds 1889. On holdings count, VBU 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.