VS
Vanguard Canadian Government Bond Index ETF (VGV) and RBC Canadian Discount Bond ETF (RCDB) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that VGV focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Sovereign, Municipal, and Government Agencies, while RCDB leans towards Finance, Municipal, and Sovereign. When evaluating costs, VGV features a management fee (MER) of 0.15%, compared to 0.15% for RCDB. Performance-wise, VGV has returned 0.26% year-to-date with -$25 M in net flows, whereas RCDB is at 1.09% with +$110 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
VGV
RCDB
| AuM | $126.51 M | $1,366.43 M |
| Management Fees | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.16% | 0.17% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.15% | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 29, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VGV | +1.48% | -0.56% | +0.26% | -0.83% | +15.51% |
RCDB | +0.46% | -0.17% | +1.09% | +1.14% | +14.68% | |
| Flows | VGV | -$19 M | -$17 M | -$25 M | +$13 M | +$52 M |
RCDB | -$38 M | -$44 M | +$110 M | +$126 M | +$308 M |
VGV vs RCDB exposure
Countries
VGV
Canada
99.21%
RCDB
Canada
99.06%
Sectors
VGV
Sovereign
43.90%
Municipal
38.57%
Government Agencies
9.36%
Other
8.17%
RCDB
Finance
31.62%
Municipal
17.42%
Sovereign
16.08%
Utilities
8.07%
Government Agencies
7.16%
Other
19.65%
As of October 29, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
VGV
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
2.00%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.98%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.89%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.82%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.78%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD
1.72%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2034, CAD
1.63%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
1.59%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1aug2028, CAD
1.57%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.50%
RCDB
Canada, Bond 2 1jun2028 10Y
4.52%
Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y
3.68%
CMHC, 2.35% 15mar2028, CAD (80)
3.42%
Province of Ontario, 1.55% 1nov2029, CAD (DMTN251)
3.39%
Bell Canada, 1.65% 16aug2027, CAD (M-53)
2.25%
Province of Quebec, 1.9% 1sep2030, CAD (B127)
2.03%
CMHC, 1.75% 15jun2030, CAD (92)
2.01%
Royal Bank of Canada, 3.572% 9dec2031, CAD
1.91%
Hydro-Quebec, 2% 1sep2028, CAD (0082)
1.88%
Canada, Bonds 1.5% 1dec2031 10Y
1.76%
Diversification
VGV
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 496 total
17.49%
RCDB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 112 total
26.85%
Characteristics
Compare
VGV
RCDB
| Provider | Vanguard | RBC Global Asset Management |
| Management | Passively managed | Actively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Government Float Adjusted Total Return Index - CAD | - |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | - |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.23% | 2.24% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | January 31, 2017 | June 12, 2019 |
Frequently asked questions about VGV and RCDB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VGV or RCDB?
As of October 29, 2026, VGV has returned 0.26% year to date, while RCDB has returned 1.09%. RCDB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VGV or RCDB?
As of October 29, 2026, VGV manages $126.51 M in assets, while RCDB manages $1.37 B. RCDB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VGV and RCDB managed?
VGV is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Government Float Adjusted Total Return Index - CAD benchmark. RCDB is actively managed by RBC Global Asset Management. It does not track an index.
What sectors do VGV and RCDB emphasize?
VGV is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Government Agencies. RCDB is most exposed to Finance, Municipal, and Sovereign.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VGV or RCDB?
Year to date, VGV has seen -$25.07 M in net flows, compared with +$109.65 M for RCDB. RCDB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VGV and RCDB compare?
VGV has an expense ratio of 0.16%, while RCDB has an expense ratio of 0.17%.
What are the top holdings of VGV and RCDB?
VGV's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD. RCDB's top holdings include Canada, Bond 2 1jun2028 10Y, Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y, and CMHC, 2.35% 15mar2028, CAD (80).
Which ETF is more diversified: VGV or RCDB?
VGV holds 493 securities, while RCDB holds 112. On holdings count, VGV is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about VGV and RCDB
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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.