VS
Vanguard Canadian Short-Term Corporate Bond Index ETF (VSC) and iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (XIC) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that VSC focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Banks, Communication services, and Insurance and reinsurance, while XIC leans towards Financials, Energy, and Materials. When evaluating costs, VSC features a management fee (MER) of 0.1%, compared to 0.05% for XIC. Performance-wise, VSC has returned 0.67% year-to-date with +$194 M in net flows, whereas XIC is at 9.36% with +$5 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
VSC
XIC
| AuM | $1,486.38 M | $29,474.87 M |
| Management Fees | 0.10% | 0.05% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.11% | 0.06% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.19% | -0.12% |
Historical performance and flows
As of May 20, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | VSC | -0.11% | -0.34% | +0.67% | +3.62% | +20.19% |
XIC | +1.94% | +2.46% | +9.36% | +36.30% | +85.77% | |
| Flows | VSC | +$17 M | +$118 M | +$194 M | +$440 M | +$407 M |
XIC | +$727 M | +$2,275 M | +$5,389 M | +$7,843 M | +$11,390 M |
VSC vs XIC exposure
Countries
VSC
Canada
93.32%
XIC
Canada
98.95%
Sectors
VSC
Banks
31.28%
Other
24.78%
Other
43.93%
XIC
Financials
28.13%
Energy
18.01%
Materials
15.92%
Other
13.03%
Other
24.92%
As of May 20, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
VSC
CA06418Y4L93
0.97%
CA779926WF74
0.97%
CA89116C7J09
0.95%
CA13607QQT27
0.92%
Bank of Montreal, 4.709% 7dec2027, CAD
0.89%
CA89116C3S44
0.86%
Bank of Montreal, 3.19% 1mar2028, CAD
0.82%
CA06418YXB96
0.82%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 4.21% 1jun2027, CAD
0.79%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 4.68% 8jan2029, CAD
0.76%
XIC
ROYAL BK CANADA
6.69%
TORONTO DOMINION
4.64%
SHOPIFY SUBORDINATE VOTING
4.31%
ENBRIDGE
3.50%
AGNICO EAGLE MINES LTD
3.01%
CDN NATURAL RESOURCE
3.01%
BANK OF MONTREAL
2.83%
CA11271J1075
2.65%
CDN IMPERIAL BK
2.61%
BNS
2.53%
Diversification
VSC
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 443 total
8.75%
XIC
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 221 total
35.80%
Characteristics
Compare
VSC
XIC
| Provider | Vanguard | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Credit 1-5Y Total Return Index - CAD | S&P/TSX Capped Composite Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.93% | 2.05% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 2, 2012 | February 16, 2001 |
Frequently asked questions about VSC and XIC
Which ETF has performed better year to date: VSC or XIC?
As of May 20, 2026, VSC has returned 0.67% year to date, while XIC has returned 9.36%. XIC is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: VSC or XIC?
As of May 20, 2026, VSC manages $1.49 B in assets, while XIC manages $29.47 B. XIC is the larger fund by AUM.
How are VSC and XIC managed?
VSC is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Credit 1-5Y Total Return Index - CAD benchmark. XIC is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the S&P/TSX Capped Composite Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do VSC and XIC emphasize?
VSC is most exposed to Banks, Communication services, and Insurance and reinsurance. XIC is most exposed to Financials, Energy, and Materials.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: VSC or XIC?
Year to date, VSC has seen +$193.99 M in net flows, compared with +$5,388.96 M for XIC. XIC has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of VSC and XIC compare?
VSC has an expense ratio of 0.11%, while XIC has an expense ratio of 0.06%.
What are the top holdings of VSC and XIC?
VSC's largest holdings include Bank of Montreal, 4.709% 7dec2027, CAD and Bank of Montreal, 3.19% 1mar2028, CAD. XIC's top holdings include ROYAL BK CANADA and TORONTO DOMINION.
Which ETF is more diversified: VSC or XIC?
VSC holds 341 securities, while XIC holds 193. On holdings count, VSC is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about VSC and XIC
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Posted on 1/11/2023 by Tony Dong inETFs
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