VS
iShares ESG Advanced Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF (XCBG) and Global X Active Ultra-Short Term Investment Grade Bond ETF (HFR) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that XCBG focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Finance, Telecommunications, and Utilities, while HFR leans towards Finance, Energy, and Telecommunications. When evaluating costs, XCBG features a management fee (MER) of 0.15%, compared to 0.47% for HFR. Performance-wise, XCBG has returned 0.03% year-to-date with -$13 M in net flows, whereas HFR is at 1.75% with +$188 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
XCBG
HFR
| AuM | $82.62 M | $697.06 M |
| Management Fees | 0.15% | 0.47% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.17% | 0.49% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.14% | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 29, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XCBG | -0.71% | -1.74% | +0.03% | +0.41% | +18.71% |
HFR | -0.02% | +0.27% | +1.75% | +2.54% | +13.36% | |
| Flows | XCBG | +$0 M | +$4 M | -$13 M | +$4 M | +$62 M |
HFR | +$43 M | +$97 M | +$188 M | +$219 M | +$286 M |
XCBG vs HFR exposure
Countries
XCBG
Canada
83.85%
USA
12.79%
HFR
Canada
88.03%
Other
11.97%
Sectors
XCBG
Finance
60.98%
Telecommunications
16.25%
Utilities
8.39%
Other
14.38%
HFR
Finance
70.47%
Energy
7.29%
Other
22.24%
As of September 29, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XCBG
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 3.687% 9jan2032, CAD
1.31%
Bank of Nova Scotia, 3.61% 30jan2032, CAD
1.15%
CIBC, 3.65% 13jan2032, CAD
1.10%
Bank of Nova Scotia, 3.734% 27jun2031, CAD
0.96%
Royal Bank of Canada, 3.572% 9dec2031, CAD
0.95%
Bank of Montreal, 3.19% 1mar2028, CAD
0.84%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 3.842% 29may2031, CAD
0.84%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 3.605% 10sep2031, CAD
0.82%
Royal Bank of Canada, 4.632% 1may2028, CAD
0.81%
Royal Bank of Canada, 5.096% 3apr2034, CAD (27)
0.80%
HFR
Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec, 5.035% 23aug2032, CAD
2.15%
TransCanada PipeLines, 3.8% 5apr2027, CAD
1.81%
Bank of Montreal, 4.976% 3jul2034, CAD (M)
1.75%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 4.68% 8jan2029, CAD
1.53%
Rogers Communications, 3.65% 31mar2027, CAD
1.47%
Manulife Financial Corporation, 5.409% 10mar2033, CAD
1.09%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 5.491% 8sep2028, CAD
1.06%
Goldman Sachs, 2.013% 28feb2029, CAD
1.01%
Bank of America Corporation, 3.615% 16mar2028, CAD (N)
0.96%
CIBC, 5.33% 20jan2033, CAD
0.94%
Diversification
XCBG
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 371 total
9.59%
HFR
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 296 total
13.77%
Characteristics
Compare
XCBG
HFR
| Provider | iShares | Global X |
| Management | Passively managed | Actively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg MSCI Canada Corporate Choice ESG Screened 10% Issuer Capped Index - CAD | - |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 4.10% | 3.48% |
| Meets ESG criteria | Yes | No |
| Inception Date | August 6, 2021 | December 8, 2010 |
Frequently asked questions about XCBG and HFR
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XCBG or HFR?
As of September 29, 2026, XCBG has returned 0.03% year to date, while HFR has returned 1.75%. HFR is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XCBG or HFR?
As of September 29, 2026, XCBG manages $82.62 M in assets, while HFR manages $697.06 M. HFR is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XCBG and HFR managed?
XCBG is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the Bloomberg MSCI Canada Corporate Choice ESG Screened 10% Issuer Capped Index - CAD benchmark. HFR is actively managed by Global X. It does not track an index.
What sectors do XCBG and HFR emphasize?
XCBG is most exposed to Finance, Telecommunications, and Utilities. HFR is most exposed to Finance, Energy, and Telecommunications.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XCBG or HFR?
Year to date, XCBG has seen -$13.01 M in net flows, compared with +$188.48 M for HFR. HFR has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XCBG and HFR compare?
XCBG has an expense ratio of 0.17%, while HFR has an expense ratio of 0.49%.
What are the top holdings of XCBG and HFR?
XCBG's largest holdings include Toronto-Dominion Bank, 3.687% 9jan2032, CAD and Bank of Nova Scotia, 3.61% 30jan2032, CAD. HFR's top holdings include Federation des caisses Desjardins du Quebec, 5.035% 23aug2032, CAD, TransCanada PipeLines, 3.8% 5apr2027, CAD, and Bank of Montreal, 4.976% 3jul2034, CAD (M).
Which ETF is more diversified: XCBG or HFR?
XCBG holds 369 securities, while HFR holds 287. On holdings count, XCBG is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XCBG and HFR
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