VS
iShares Core High Quality Canadian Bond Index ETF (XQB) and iShares Canadian Corporate Bond Index ETF (XCB) offer distinct profiles for Canadian ETF investors. A direct comparison shows that XQB focuses its top 3 sector exposures on Finance, Sovereign, and Municipal, while XCB leans towards Finance, Utilities, and Energy. When evaluating costs, XQB features a management fee (MER) of 0.12%, compared to 0.15% for XCB. Performance-wise, XQB has returned 0.29% year-to-date with -$5 M in net flows, whereas XCB is at 0.78% 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
XQB
XCB
| AuM | $502.30 M | $3,874.42 M |
| Management Fees | 0.12% | 0.15% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.13% | 0.17% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 29, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XQB | +1.14% | -0.55% | +0.29% | -0.41% | +15.22% |
XCB | +0.87% | -0.36% | +0.78% | +0.53% | +20.37% | |
| Flows | XQB | -$30 M | -$22 M | -$5 M | +$1 M | +$201 M |
XCB | +$135 M | +$544 M | +$1,170 M | +$1,457 M | +$2,244 M |
XQB vs XCB exposure
Countries
XQB
Canada
91.66%
Other
8.34%
XCB
Canada
87.07%
USA
7.88%
Sectors
XQB
Finance
27.87%
Sovereign
27.43%
Municipal
22.53%
Other
22.18%
XCB
Finance
42.41%
Utilities
14.80%
Energy
12.89%
Industrials
8.51%
Other
21.39%
As of October 29, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XQB
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.32%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.27%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.24%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.14%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.13%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1dec2057, CAD
1.01%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.01%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.00%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD
0.98%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1nov2027, CAD
0.93%
XCB
Amazon.com, 5% 12jun2056, CAD
0.65%
Royal Bank of Canada, 3.572% 9dec2031, CAD
0.52%
Bank of Nova Scotia, 3.61% 30jan2032, CAD
0.50%
Amazon.com, 4.35% 12jun2036, CAD
0.49%
CIBC, 3.65% 13jan2032, CAD
0.45%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 3.687% 9jan2032, CAD
0.43%
Bank of Nova Scotia, 3.734% 27jun2031, CAD
0.43%
CA89116WMS93
0.40%
Alphabet, 5% 15may2056, CAD
0.39%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 4.68% 8jan2029, CAD
0.39%
Diversification
XQB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 607 total
11.02%
XCB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,354 total
4.65%
Characteristics
Compare
XQB
XCB
| Provider | iShares | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | FTSE Canada Liquid Universe Capped Bond TR Index - CAD | FTSE Canada All Corporate Bond TR Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.53% | 4.28% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 19, 2009 | November 6, 2006 |
Frequently asked questions about XQB and XCB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XQB or XCB?
As of October 29, 2026, XQB has returned 0.29% year to date, while XCB has returned 0.78%. XCB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XQB or XCB?
As of October 29, 2026, XQB manages $502.30 M in assets, while XCB manages $3.87 B. XCB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XQB and XCB managed?
XQB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada Liquid Universe Capped Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark. XCB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada All Corporate Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XQB and XCB emphasize?
XQB is most exposed to Finance, Sovereign, and Municipal. XCB is most exposed to Finance, Utilities, and Energy.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XQB or XCB?
Year to date, XQB has seen -$5.10 M in net flows, compared with +$1,169.65 M for XCB. XCB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XQB and XCB compare?
XQB has an expense ratio of 0.13%, while XCB has an expense ratio of 0.17%.
What are the top holdings of XQB and XCB?
XQB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD and Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD. XCB's top holdings include Amazon.com, 5% 12jun2056, CAD and Royal Bank of Canada, 3.572% 9dec2031, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: XQB or XCB?
XQB holds 585 securities, while XCB holds 1297. On holdings count, XCB is the more diversified portfolio.
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