VS
Compare iShares Floating Rate Index ETF (XFR) vs Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB) to find the best fit for your portfolio. XFR provides Government Agencies, Municipal, and Finance exposures, while VAB is primarily weighted in Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, XFR features a management fee (MER) of 0.12%, compared to 0.08% for VAB. Performance-wise, XFR has returned 2.18% year-to-date with +$227 M in net flows, whereas VAB is at 0.09% 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
XFR
VAB
| AuM | $973.60 M | $7,711.28 M |
| Management Fees | 0.12% | 0.08% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.13% | 0.09% |
| Tracking Difference | - | -0.39% |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 28, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XFR | +0.16% | +0.67% | +2.18% | +2.75% | +11.39% |
VAB | +0.79% | -1.23% | +0.09% | -1.41% | +16.75% | |
| Flows | XFR | +$88 M | +$175 M | +$227 M | +$227 M | +$114 M |
VAB | +$102 M | +$323 M | +$1,355 M | +$1,720 M | +$3,411 M |
XFR vs VAB exposure
Countries
XFR
Canada
95.92%
VAB
Canada
95.36%
Sectors
XFR
Government Agencies
50.30%
Municipal
34.31%
Finance
10.91%
VAB
Sovereign
33.64%
Municipal
30.37%
Finance
12.89%
Government Agencies
7.37%
Other
15.74%
As of October 28, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XFR
Province of Ontario, FRN 27nov2028, CAD (DMTN261)
8.72%
Canada Housing Trust, FRN 15mar2028, CAD (111)
8.35%
Canada Housing Trust, FRN 15sep2027, CAD (108)
8.30%
Canada Housing Trust, FRN 15sep2028, CAD (114)
7.51%
CMHC, FRN 15mar2027, CAD (103)
6.69%
Province of Ontario, FRN 13jan2031, CAD (DMTN275)
5.17%
Province of Ontario, FRN 21feb2030, CAD (DMTN270)
5.16%
Province of Ontario, FRN 19nov2030, CAD (DMTN274)
5.12%
Canada Housing Trust, FRN 15mar2030, CAD (124)
5.06%
Province of Quebec, FRN 22jul2030, CAD (B139)
4.98%
VAB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.83%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.57%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.52%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.44%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.41%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD
1.29%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.23%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
1.14%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1feb2028, CAD
1.13%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.13%
Diversification
XFR
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 26 total
65.06%
VAB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,316 total
13.70%
Characteristics
Compare
XFR
VAB
| Provider | iShares | Vanguard |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | FTSE Canada Floating Rate Note 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 | 2.59% | 3.44% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | December 6, 2011 | November 30, 2011 |
Frequently asked questions about XFR and VAB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XFR or VAB?
As of October 28, 2026, XFR has returned 2.18% year to date, while VAB has returned 0.09%. XFR is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XFR or VAB?
As of October 28, 2026, XFR manages $973.60 M in assets, while VAB manages $7.71 B. VAB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XFR and VAB managed?
XFR is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada Floating Rate Note 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 XFR and VAB emphasize?
XFR is most exposed to Government Agencies, Municipal, and Finance. VAB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XFR or VAB?
Year to date, XFR has seen +$226.66 M in net flows, compared with +$1,355.19 M for VAB. VAB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XFR and VAB compare?
XFR has an expense ratio of 0.13%, while VAB has an expense ratio of 0.09%.
What are the top holdings of XFR and VAB?
XFR's largest holdings include Province of Ontario, FRN 27nov2028, CAD (DMTN261), Canada Housing Trust, FRN 15mar2028, CAD (111), and Canada Housing Trust, FRN 15sep2027, CAD (108). 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: XFR or VAB?
XFR holds 25 securities, while VAB holds 1301. On holdings count, VAB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XFR 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.