VS
Compare Vanguard Canadian Short-Term Bond Index ETF (VSB) vs iShares Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF (XBB) to find the best fit for your portfolio. VSB provides Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal exposures, while XBB is primarily weighted in Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, VSB features a management fee (MER) of 0.1%, compared to 0.09% for XBB. Performance-wise, VSB has returned 1.4% year-to-date with +$508 M in net flows, whereas XBB is at 1.21% 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
VSB
XBB
| AuM | $1,844.63 M | $11,020.92 M |
| Management Fees | 0.10% | 0.09% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.12% | 0.10% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.38% | - |
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% |
XBB | +1.18% | +0.89% | +1.21% | +0.35% | +14.58% | |
| Flows | VSB | -$134 M | +$234 M | +$508 M | +$458 M | +$758 M |
XBB | -$19 M | +$949 M | +$2,085 M | +$2,441 M | +$4,471 M |
VSB vs XBB exposure
Countries
VSB
Canada
92.59%
Other
7.41%
XBB
Canada
95.50%
Sectors
VSB
Sovereign
38.01%
Finance
22.46%
Municipal
15.41%
Government Agencies
9.79%
Other
14.33%
XBB
Sovereign
33.30%
Municipal
28.35%
Finance
13.96%
Government Agencies
7.14%
Other
17.25%
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%
XBB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.50%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.50%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.48%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD
1.45%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.44%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.38%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.20%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.19%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1dec2057, CAD
1.13%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
1.11%
Diversification
VSB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 583 total
26.95%
XBB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,921 total
13.38%
Characteristics
Compare
VSB
XBB
| Provider | Vanguard | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Government/Credit 1-5 Year Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD | FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 2.99% | 3.50% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 30, 2011 | November 20, 2000 |
Frequently asked questions about VSB and XBB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VSB or XBB?
As of November 11, 2026, VSB has returned 1.40% year to date, while XBB has returned 1.21%. VSB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VSB or XBB?
As of November 11, 2026, VSB manages $1.84 B in assets, while XBB manages $11.02 B. XBB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VSB and XBB 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. XBB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do VSB and XBB emphasize?
VSB is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal. XBB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VSB or XBB?
Year to date, VSB has seen +$507.76 M in net flows, compared with +$2,084.94 M for XBB. XBB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VSB and XBB compare?
VSB has an expense ratio of 0.12%, while XBB has an expense ratio of 0.10%.
What are the top holdings of VSB and XBB?
VSB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD. XBB's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD and Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: VSB or XBB?
VSB holds 562 securities, while XBB holds 1855. On holdings count, XBB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about VSB and XBB
The ETF Market Canada is brought to you by Cboe in partnership with Trackinsight SA who is providing all the data, analysis and editorial content on this site. Unless explicitly stated as such, any information that you receive is not real-time.
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.
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.