VS
iShares Canadian HYBrid Corporate Bond Index ETF (XHB) and Vanguard Canadian Short-Term Bond Index ETF (VSB) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that XHB focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Energy, Telecommunications, and Finance, while VSB leans towards Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal. When evaluating costs, XHB features a management fee (MER) of 0.45%, compared to 0.1% for VSB. Performance-wise, XHB has returned 1.34% year-to-date with +$8 M in net flows, whereas VSB is at 0.57% with +$616 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
XHB
VSB
| AuM | $225.67 M | $1,946.61 M |
| Management Fees | 0.45% | 0.10% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.50% | 0.12% |
| Tracking Difference | - | -0.35% |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 18, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XHB | -0.26% | -0.86% | +1.34% | +2.30% | +23.22% |
VSB | -0.57% | -0.61% | +0.57% | +1.01% | +15.91% | |
| Flows | XHB | +$0 M | +$3 M | +$8 M | +$9 M | +$7 M |
VSB | +$335 M | +$448 M | +$616 M | +$791 M | +$846 M |
XHB vs VSB exposure
Countries
XHB
Canada
94.35%
VSB
Canada
95.70%
Sectors
XHB
Energy
25.86%
Telecommunications
18.80%
Finance
17.37%
Utilities
11.92%
Industrials
10.23%
Other
15.82%
VSB
Sovereign
39.60%
Finance
23.54%
Municipal
15.65%
Government Agencies
10.03%
Other
11.19%
As of September 18, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XHB
Air Canada, 4.625% 15aug2029, CAD
1.72%
TELUS, 6.25% 21jul2055, CAD (CAR)
1.22%
Bell Canada, 5.625% 27mar2055, CAD (C)
1.09%
Rogers Communications, 6.25% 31jul2056, CAD
1.06%
Rogers Communications, 5.625% 15apr2055, CAD (NC5)
0.85%
TELUS, 6.75% 21jul2055, CAD (CAS)
0.79%
Bell Canada, 5.875% 12may2056, CAD (E)
0.67%
Inter Pipeline Ltd, 6.875% 26mar2079, CAD (2019-A)
0.66%
Inter Pipeline Ltd, 6.625% 19nov2079, CAD (2019-B, Conv.)
0.64%
Bell Canada, 5.375% 12may2056, CAD (D)
0.58%
VSB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
3.69%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
3.59%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
2.84%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
2.69%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1feb2028, CAD
2.59%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1aug2027, CAD
2.57%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
2.56%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
2.50%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1nov2027, CAD
2.49%
Canada, Bonds 4% 1mar2029, CAD
2.37%
Diversification
XHB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 687 total
9.28%
VSB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 576 total
27.90%
Characteristics
Compare
XHB
VSB
| Provider | iShares | Vanguard |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | FTSE Canada HYBrid Bond TR Index - CAD | Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Government/Credit 1-5 Year 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 | 4.64% | 3.02% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | September 22, 2010 | November 30, 2011 |
Frequently asked questions about XHB and VSB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XHB or VSB?
As of September 18, 2026, XHB has returned 1.34% year to date, while VSB has returned 0.57%. XHB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XHB or VSB?
As of September 18, 2026, XHB manages $225.67 M in assets, while VSB manages $1.95 B. VSB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XHB and VSB managed?
XHB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada HYBrid Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark. VSB is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Government/Credit 1-5 Year Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XHB and VSB emphasize?
XHB is most exposed to Energy, Telecommunications, and Finance. VSB is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XHB or VSB?
Year to date, XHB has seen +$8.01 M in net flows, compared with +$616.24 M for VSB. VSB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XHB and VSB compare?
XHB has an expense ratio of 0.50%, while VSB has an expense ratio of 0.12%.
What are the top holdings of XHB and VSB?
XHB's largest holdings include Air Canada, 4.625% 15aug2029, CAD, TELUS, 6.25% 21jul2055, CAD (CAR), and Bell Canada, 5.625% 27mar2055, CAD (C). VSB's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: XHB or VSB?
XHB holds 685 securities, while VSB holds 576. On holdings count, XHB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XHB and VSB
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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.