VS
Compare Vanguard Canadian Government Bond Index ETF (VGV) vs iShares Canadian Government Bond Index ETF (XGB) to find the best fit for your portfolio. VGV and XGB provide the same top sector exposures: Sovereign, Municipal, and Government Agencies. When evaluating costs, VGV features a management fee (MER) of 0.15%, compared to 0.12% for XGB. Performance-wise, VGV has returned 0.26% year-to-date with -$25 M in net flows, whereas XGB is at 0.25% with -$228 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
XGB
| AuM | $126.51 M | $1,590.24 M |
| Management Fees | 0.15% | 0.12% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.16% | 0.13% |
| 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% |
XGB | +1.43% | -0.59% | +0.25% | -0.78% | +13.82% | |
| Flows | VGV | -$19 M | -$17 M | -$25 M | +$13 M | +$52 M |
XGB | -$52 M | -$51 M | -$228 M | -$138 M | +$674 M |
VGV vs XGB exposure
Countries
VGV
Canada
99.21%
XGB
Canada
98.12%
Sectors
VGV
Sovereign
43.90%
Municipal
38.57%
Government Agencies
9.36%
Other
8.17%
XGB
Sovereign
43.89%
Municipal
37.85%
Government Agencies
9.36%
Other
8.90%
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%
XGB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
2.12%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
2.02%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.98%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.96%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.89%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD
1.88%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.62%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1dec2057, CAD
1.48%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
1.47%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
1.45%
Diversification
VGV
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 496 total
17.49%
XGB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 552 total
17.88%
Characteristics
Compare
VGV
XGB
| Provider | Vanguard | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Government Float Adjusted Total Return Index - CAD | FTSE Canada All Government Bond TR Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.23% | 3.21% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | January 31, 2017 | November 6, 2006 |
Frequently asked questions about VGV and XGB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VGV or XGB?
As of October 29, 2026, VGV has returned 0.26% year to date, while XGB has returned 0.25%. VGV is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VGV or XGB?
As of October 29, 2026, VGV manages $126.51 M in assets, while XGB manages $1.59 B. XGB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VGV and XGB managed?
VGV is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Government Float Adjusted Total Return Index - CAD benchmark. XGB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada All Government Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do VGV and XGB emphasize?
VGV is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Government Agencies. XGB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Government Agencies.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VGV or XGB?
Year to date, VGV has seen -$25.07 M in net flows, compared with -$227.54 M for XGB. VGV has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VGV and XGB compare?
VGV has an expense ratio of 0.16%, while XGB has an expense ratio of 0.13%.
What are the top holdings of VGV and XGB?
VGV's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD. XGB's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: VGV or XGB?
VGV holds 493 securities, while XGB holds 545. On holdings count, XGB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about VGV and XGB
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