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, Finance, and Municipal. When evaluating costs, VSB features a management fee (MER) of 0.1%, compared to 0.09% for XSB. Performance-wise, VSB has returned 0.91% year-to-date with +$512 M in net flows, whereas XSB is at 0.9% 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
XSB
| AuM | $1,845.26 M | $4,546.04 M |
| Management Fees | 0.10% | 0.09% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.12% | 0.10% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.31% | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 26, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VSB | +0.44% | -0.22% | +0.91% | +0.70% | +15.78% |
XSB | +0.43% | -0.25% | +0.90% | +0.70% | +14.34% | |
| Flows | VSB | -$102 M | +$259 M | +$512 M | +$491 M | +$700 M |
XSB | -$34 M | +$268 M | +$1,036 M | +$1,268 M | +$2,295 M |
VSB vs XSB exposure
Countries
VSB
Canada
93.76%
XSB
Canada
96.30%
Sectors
VSB
Sovereign
36.84%
Finance
23.28%
Municipal
16.24%
Government Agencies
10.10%
Other
13.53%
XSB
Sovereign
37.37%
Finance
24.58%
Municipal
15.20%
Government Agencies
10.03%
Other
12.82%
As of October 26, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
VSB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
3.66%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
3.54%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
2.91%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1feb2028, CAD
2.62%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
2.62%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
2.51%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1nov2027, CAD
2.51%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
2.33%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1aug2028, CAD
2.23%
Canada, Bonds 4% 1mar2029, CAD
2.18%
XSB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
3.54%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
3.52%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
2.81%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
2.64%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1feb2028, CAD
2.55%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
2.54%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
2.47%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1nov2027, CAD
2.47%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1aug2028, CAD
2.39%
Canada, Bonds 4% 1mar2029, CAD
2.37%
Diversification
VSB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 584 total
27.13%
XSB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 770 total
27.28%
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 | 2.98% | 3.11% |
| 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 October 26, 2026, VSB has returned 0.91% year to date, while XSB has returned 0.90%. VSB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VSB or XSB?
As of October 26, 2026, VSB manages $1.85 B in assets, while XSB manages $4.55 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, Finance, and Municipal. XSB is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VSB or XSB?
Year to date, VSB has seen +$512.38 M in net flows, compared with +$1,035.92 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% 1sep2030, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD. XSB's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: VSB or XSB?
VSB holds 576 securities, while XSB holds 759. On holdings count, XSB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about VSB and XSB
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.