VS
Compare Vanguard Canadian Short-Term Bond Index ETF (VSB) vs iShares Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF (XSB) to find the best fit for your portfolio. VSB and XSB provide the same top sector exposures: Sovereign, Municipal, and Banks. When evaluating costs, VSB features a management fee (MER) of 0.1%, compared to 0.09% for XSB. Performance-wise, VSB has returned 0.47% year-to-date with +$171 M in net flows, whereas XSB is at 0.46% with +$511 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
VSB
XSB
| AuM | $1,521.20 M | $4,058.62 M |
| Management Fees | 0.10% | 0.09% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.12% | 0.10% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.36% | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of April 28, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VSB | +0.40% | +0.11% | +0.47% | +2.60% | +14.57% |
XSB | +0.40% | +0.10% | +0.46% | +2.71% | +13.03% | |
| Flows | VSB | -$112 M | +$155 M | +$171 M | +$329 M | +$255 M |
XSB | +$142 M | +$454 M | +$511 M | +$1,179 M | +$1,525 M |
VSB vs XSB exposure
Countries
VSB
Canada
97.41%
XSB
Canada
98.71%
Sectors
VSB
Other
27.23%
Sovereign
22.13%
Municipal
15.28%
Banks
9.87%
Government agencies
8.89%
Other
16.60%
XSB
Other
27.12%
Sovereign
21.41%
Municipal
14.78%
Banks
9.86%
Government agencies
8.78%
Other
18.06%
As of April 28, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
VSB
CA135087T792
3.72%
CA135087T388
3.65%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
2.91%
CA135087T610
2.77%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
2.74%
CA135087T461
2.67%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1may2027, CAD
2.44%
Canada, Bonds 4% 1mar2029, CAD
2.38%
CA135087T958
2.38%
Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y
2.36%
XSB
CA135087T792
3.74%
CA135087T388
3.56%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
2.77%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
2.65%
CA135087T610
2.56%
CA135087T461
2.56%
CA135087T958
2.54%
Canada, Bonds 4% 1mar2029, CAD
2.44%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1may2027, CAD
2.15%
Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y
2.14%
Diversification
VSB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 570 total
28.01%
XSB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 738 total
27.12%
Characteristics
Compare
VSB
XSB
| 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 Short Term Overall Bond TR Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.03% | 3.13% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 30, 2011 | November 20, 2000 |
Frequently asked questions about VSB and XSB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VSB or XSB?
As of April 28, 2026, VSB has returned 0.47% year to date, while XSB has returned 0.46%. VSB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VSB or XSB?
As of April 28, 2026, VSB manages $1.52 B in assets, while XSB manages $4.06 B. XSB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VSB and XSB 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. XSB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada Short Term Overall Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do VSB and XSB emphasize?
VSB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Banks. XSB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Banks.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VSB or XSB?
Year to date, VSB has seen +$171.35 M in net flows, compared with +$510.94 M for XSB. XSB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VSB and XSB compare?
VSB has an expense ratio of 0.12%, while XSB has an expense ratio of 0.10%.
What are the top holdings of VSB and XSB?
VSB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD and Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD. XSB's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD and Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: VSB or XSB?
VSB holds 453 securities, while XSB holds 572. On holdings count, XSB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about VSB and XSB
Divergence in Canadian & US Yields
How can ETF investors take advantage of diverging yields between Canada and the U.S?
Posted on 1/31/2023 by ETF Market Canada inGlobal Markets
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