VS
iShares Canadian Government Bond Index ETF (XGB) and iShares Core S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index ETF (XIC) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that XGB focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Sovereign, Municipal, and Government Agencies, while XIC leans towards Finance, Energy, and Non-Energy Materials. When evaluating costs, XGB features a management fee (MER) of 0.12%, compared to 0.05% for XIC. Performance-wise, XGB has returned 0.08% year-to-date with -$165 M in net flows, whereas XIC is at 16.19% with +$7 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
XGB
XIC
| AuM | $1,662.15 M | $33,220.05 M |
| Management Fees | 0.12% | 0.05% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.13% | 0.06% |
| Tracking Difference | - | -0.10% |
Historical performance and flows
As of August 20, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XGB | -1.03% | -0.40% | -0.08% | +1.81% | +12.64% |
XIC | +4.17% | +7.01% | +16.19% | +33.36% | +99.38% | |
| Flows | XGB | +$11 M | +$75 M | -$165 M | +$88 M | +$756 M |
XIC | +$870 M | +$2,088 M | +$7,401 M | +$8,560 M | +$13,546 M |
XGB vs XIC exposure
Countries
XGB
Canada
99.23%
XIC
Canada
96.25%
Sectors
XGB
Sovereign
44.37%
Municipal
38.60%
Government Agencies
9.48%
Other
7.55%
XIC
Finance
42.08%
Energy
16.27%
Non-Energy Materials
15.91%
Industrials
8.25%
Other
17.49%
As of August 20, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XGB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
2.05%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
2.02%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
2.01%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.88%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.79%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.63%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1dec2057, CAD
1.62%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.59%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
1.51%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
1.45%
XIC
Royal Bank of Canada
8.22%
The Toronto-Dominion Bank
5.77%
Shopify, Inc.
3.97%
Bank of Montreal
3.52%
Enbridge, Inc.
3.36%
The Bank of Nova Scotia
3.04%
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
3.01%
Brookfield Corp.
2.59%
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
2.35%
Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.
2.25%
Diversification
XGB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 550 total
17.54%
XIC
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 221 total
38.08%
Characteristics
Compare
XGB
XIC
| Provider | iShares | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | FTSE Canada All Government Bond TR Index - CAD | S&P/TSX Capped Composite Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.18% | 1.94% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 6, 2006 | February 16, 2001 |
Frequently asked questions about XGB and XIC
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XGB or XIC?
As of August 20, 2026, XGB has returned -0.08% year to date, while XIC has returned 16.19%. XIC is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XGB or XIC?
As of August 20, 2026, XGB manages $1.66 B in assets, while XIC manages $33.22 B. XIC is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XGB and XIC managed?
XGB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada All Government Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark. XIC is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the S&P/TSX Capped Composite Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XGB and XIC emphasize?
XGB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Government Agencies. XIC is most exposed to Finance, Energy, and Non-Energy Materials.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XGB or XIC?
Year to date, XGB has seen -$165.09 M in net flows, compared with +$7,400.76 M for XIC. XIC has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XGB and XIC compare?
XGB has an expense ratio of 0.13%, while XIC has an expense ratio of 0.06%.
What are the top holdings of XGB and XIC?
XGB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD. XIC's top holdings include Royal Bank of Canada, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, and Shopify, Inc..
Which ETF is more diversified: XGB or XIC?
XGB holds 550 securities, while XIC holds 219. On holdings count, XGB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XGB and XIC
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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.