VS
Compare iShares Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF (XBB) vs Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB) to find the best fit for your portfolio. XBB and VAB provide the same top sector exposures: Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, XBB features a management fee (MER) of 0.09%, compared to 0.08% for VAB. Performance-wise, XBB has returned 0.27% year-to-date with +$2 B in net flows, whereas VAB is at 0.33% 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
XBB
VAB
| AuM | $10,801.87 M | $7,548.45 M |
| Management Fees | 0.09% | 0.08% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.10% | 0.09% |
| Tracking Difference | - | -0.38% |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 18, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XBB | -0.64% | -2.14% | -0.27% | -0.39% | +13.51% |
VAB | -0.65% | -2.19% | -0.33% | -0.52% | +14.98% | |
| Flows | XBB | +$805 M | +$1,009 M | +$1,963 M | +$2,772 M | +$5,301 M |
VAB | +$36 M | +$343 M | +$1,204 M | +$1,878 M | +$3,297 M |
XBB vs VAB exposure
Countries
XBB
Canada
97.34%
VAB
Canada
96.44%
Sectors
XBB
Sovereign
33.61%
Municipal
28.99%
Finance
14.34%
Government Agencies
7.06%
Other
16.00%
VAB
Sovereign
34.45%
Municipal
30.47%
Finance
13.10%
Government Agencies
7.29%
Other
14.69%
As of September 18, 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%
VAB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.82%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.63%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.56%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.51%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.44%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.22%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.18%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
1.16%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
1.14%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1dec2057, CAD
1.13%
Diversification
XBB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,889 total
13.27%
VAB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,305 total
13.78%
Characteristics
Compare
XBB
VAB
| Provider | iShares | Vanguard |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD | Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.52% | 3.46% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 20, 2000 | November 30, 2011 |
Frequently asked questions about XBB and VAB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XBB or VAB?
As of September 18, 2026, XBB has returned -0.27% year to date, while VAB has returned -0.33%. XBB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XBB or VAB?
As of September 18, 2026, XBB manages $10.80 B in assets, while VAB manages $7.55 B. XBB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XBB and VAB managed?
XBB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark. VAB is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XBB and VAB emphasize?
XBB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. VAB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XBB or VAB?
Year to date, XBB has seen +$1,962.61 M in net flows, compared with +$1,203.84 M for VAB. XBB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XBB and VAB compare?
XBB has an expense ratio of 0.10%, while VAB has an expense ratio of 0.09%.
What are the top holdings of XBB and VAB?
XBB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD. VAB's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: XBB or VAB?
XBB holds 1889 securities, while VAB holds 1305. On holdings count, XBB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XBB and VAB
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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.