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Compare iShares Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF (XBB) vs Desjardins Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF (DCS) to find the best fit for your portfolio. XBB provides Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance exposures, while DCS is primarily weighted in Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal. When evaluating costs, XBB features a management fee (MER) of 0.09%, compared to 0.07% for DCS. Performance-wise, XBB has returned 0.04% year-to-date with +$2 B in net flows, whereas DCS is at 0.99% with +$8 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
XBB
DCS
| AuM | $10,570.90 M | $49.21 M |
| Management Fees | 0.09% | 0.07% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.10% | 0.08% |
| Tracking Difference | - | -0.06% |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 3, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XBB | -1.20% | -1.55% | +0.04% | +1.58% | +13.48% |
DCS | -0.29% | +0.04% | +0.99% | +1.94% | +14.42% | |
| Flows | XBB | +$669 M | +$796 M | +$1,699 M | +$2,503 M | +$5,172 M |
DCS | -$4 M | +$0 M | +$8 M | +$15 M | +$36 M |
XBB vs DCS exposure
Countries
XBB
Canada
97.34%
DCS
Canada
96.95%
Sectors
XBB
Sovereign
33.61%
Municipal
28.99%
Finance
14.34%
Government Agencies
7.06%
Other
16.00%
DCS
Sovereign
41.18%
Finance
21.92%
Municipal
14.24%
Government Agencies
12.23%
Other
10.44%
As of September 3, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XBB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.52%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.52%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.51%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.42%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.35%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1dec2057, CAD
1.24%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.23%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.22%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
1.13%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
1.12%
DCS
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
3.44%
Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y
3.43%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
3.37%
Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y
2.91%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
2.66%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
2.54%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1feb2028, CAD
2.51%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1aug2027, CAD
2.46%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1nov2027, CAD
2.42%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
2.35%
Diversification
XBB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,889 total
13.27%
DCS
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 556 total
28.08%
Characteristics
Compare
XBB
DCS
| Provider | iShares | Desjardins Investments |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD | Solactive Short-Term Canadian Bond Universe Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.51% | 2.96% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 20, 2000 | April 3, 2017 |
Frequently asked questions about XBB and DCS
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XBB or DCS?
As of September 3, 2026, XBB has returned 0.04% year to date, while DCS has returned 0.99%. DCS is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XBB or DCS?
As of September 3, 2026, XBB manages $10.57 B in assets, while DCS manages $49.21 M. XBB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XBB and DCS managed?
XBB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark. DCS is passively managed by Desjardins Investments. It tracks the Solactive Short-Term Canadian Bond Universe Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XBB and DCS emphasize?
XBB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. DCS is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XBB or DCS?
Year to date, XBB has seen +$1,699.43 M in net flows, compared with +$7.66 M for DCS. XBB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XBB and DCS compare?
XBB has an expense ratio of 0.10%, while DCS has an expense ratio of 0.08%.
What are the top holdings of XBB and DCS?
XBB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD. DCS's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y, and Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: XBB or DCS?
XBB holds 1889 securities, while DCS holds 556. On holdings count, XBB is the more diversified portfolio.
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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.

