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iShares Canadian Government Bond Index ETF (XGB) and iShares Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF (XBB) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that XGB focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Municipal, Sovereign, and Government agencies, while XBB leans towards Municipal, Sovereign, and Government agencies. When evaluating costs, XGB features a management fee (MER) of 0.12%, compared to 0.09% for XBB. Performance-wise, XGB has returned 0.23% year-to-date with -$238 M in net flows, whereas XBB is at 0.31% with +$855 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
XGB
XBB
| AuM | $1,607.97 M | $9,875.39 M |
| Management Fees | 0.12% | 0.09% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.13% | 0.10% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of April 30, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XGB | +0.30% | -0.28% | +0.23% | +0.85% | +8.39% |
XBB | +0.39% | -0.27% | +0.31% | +1.54% | +10.71% | |
| Flows | XGB | -$414 M | -$346 M | -$238 M | +$112 M | +$769 M |
XBB | -$20 M | +$542 M | +$855 M | +$1,770 M | +$4,888 M |
XGB vs XBB exposure
Countries
XGB
Canada
99.42%
XBB
Canada
99.40%
Sectors
XGB
Municipal
35.97%
Sovereign
31.14%
Other
18.39%
Government agencies
8.11%
XBB
Municipal
27.45%
Sovereign
23.83%
Other
19.29%
Other
29.43%
As of April 30, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XGB
CA135087T537
2.28%
CA135087T388
2.05%
CA135087T792
1.95%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.89%
CA135087T958
1.86%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.67%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.67%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
1.52%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2034, CAD
1.51%
CA135087T610
1.51%
XBB
CA135087T537
1.59%
CA135087T388
1.59%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.50%
CA135087T792
1.48%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.29%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.28%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
1.17%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2034, CAD
1.15%
CA135087T610
1.11%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
1.10%
Diversification
XGB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 557 total
17.89%
XBB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,848 total
13.25%
Characteristics
Compare
XGB
XBB
| Provider | iShares | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | FTSE Canada All Government Bond TR Index - CAD | FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.14% | 3.43% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 6, 2006 | November 20, 2000 |
Frequently asked questions about XGB and XBB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XGB or XBB?
As of April 30, 2026, XGB has returned 0.23% year to date, while XBB has returned 0.31%. XBB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XGB or XBB?
As of April 30, 2026, XGB manages $1.61 B in assets, while XBB manages $9.88 B. XBB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XGB and XBB managed?
XGB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada All Government Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark. XBB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XGB and XBB emphasize?
XGB is most exposed to Municipal, Sovereign, and Government agencies. XBB is most exposed to Municipal, Sovereign, and Government agencies.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XGB or XBB?
Year to date, XGB has seen -$237.88 M in net flows, compared with +$855.11 M for XBB. XBB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XGB and XBB compare?
XGB has an expense ratio of 0.13%, while XBB has an expense ratio of 0.10%.
What are the top holdings of XGB and XBB?
XGB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD and Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD. XBB's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD and Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: XGB or XBB?
XGB holds 493 securities, while XBB holds 1517. On holdings count, XBB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XGB and XBB
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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.