VS
Compare Vanguard Canadian Short-Term Bond Index ETF (VSB) vs Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB) to find the best fit for your portfolio. VSB provides Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal exposures, while VAB is primarily weighted in Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, VSB features a management fee (MER) of 0.1%, compared to 0.08% for VAB. Performance-wise, VSB has returned 1.4% year-to-date with +$508 M in net flows, whereas VAB is at 1.19% 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
VSB
VAB
| AuM | $1,844.63 M | $7,847.22 M |
| Management Fees | 0.10% | 0.08% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.12% | 0.09% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.38% | -0.39% |
Historical performance and flows
As of November 11, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VSB | +0.41% | +0.44% | +1.40% | +1.35% | +15.64% |
VAB | +1.21% | +0.92% | +1.19% | +0.28% | +16.15% | |
| Flows | VSB | -$134 M | +$234 M | +$508 M | +$458 M | +$758 M |
VAB | +$70 M | +$357 M | +$1,430 M | +$1,724 M | +$3,507 M |
VSB vs VAB exposure
Countries
VSB
Canada
92.59%
Other
7.41%
VAB
Canada
94.18%
Sectors
VSB
Sovereign
38.01%
Finance
22.46%
Municipal
15.41%
Government Agencies
9.79%
Other
14.33%
VAB
Sovereign
33.17%
Municipal
29.83%
Finance
12.87%
Government Agencies
7.38%
Other
16.75%
As of November 11, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
VSB
Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD
3.44%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
3.44%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
3.40%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
2.87%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
2.47%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1aug2028, CAD
2.40%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1nov2027, CAD
2.30%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1feb2028, CAD
2.24%
Canada, Bonds 4% 1mar2029, CAD
2.19%
Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y
2.19%
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%
Diversification
VSB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 583 total
26.95%
VAB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,324 total
13.81%
Characteristics
Compare
VSB
VAB
| Provider | Vanguard | Vanguard |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Government/Credit 1-5 Year Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD | Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 2.99% | 3.42% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 30, 2011 | November 30, 2011 |
Frequently asked questions about VSB and VAB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VSB or VAB?
As of November 11, 2026, VSB has returned 1.40% year to date, while VAB has returned 1.19%. VSB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VSB or VAB?
As of November 11, 2026, VSB manages $1.84 B in assets, while VAB manages $7.85 B. VAB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VSB and VAB managed?
VSB is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Government/Credit 1-5 Year Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD benchmark. VAB is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do VSB and VAB emphasize?
VSB is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal. VAB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VSB or VAB?
Year to date, VSB has seen +$507.76 M in net flows, compared with +$1,429.53 M for VAB. VAB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VSB and VAB compare?
VSB has an expense ratio of 0.12%, while VAB has an expense ratio of 0.09%.
What are the top holdings of VSB and VAB?
VSB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD. VAB's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD and Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: VSB or VAB?
VSB holds 562 securities, while VAB holds 1284. On holdings count, VAB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about VSB and VAB
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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.