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 Municipal, Sovereign, and Banks, while XCB leans towards Banks, Power, and Pipelines. When evaluating costs, XQB features a management fee (MER) of 0.12%, compared to 0.15% for XCB. Performance-wise, XQB has returned 0.88% year-to-date with +$19 M in net flows, whereas XCB is at 1.18% with +$635 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
XQB
XCB
| AuM | $534.17 M | $3,391.53 M |
| Management Fees | 0.12% | 0.15% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.13% | 0.17% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of July 30, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XQB | -1.13% | +0.61% | +0.88% | +3.01% | +13.84% |
XCB | -0.94% | +0.71% | +1.18% | +3.58% | +19.13% | |
| Flows | XQB | +$4 M | +$9 M | +$19 M | +$61 M | +$205 M |
XCB | +$84 M | +$194 M | +$635 M | +$1,150 M | +$1,686 M |
XQB vs XCB exposure
Countries
XQB
Canada
68.57%
Other
31.29%
XCB
Canada
65.72%
Other
33.63%
Sectors
XQB
Other
31.29%
Municipal
20.67%
Sovereign
18.49%
Banks
10.19%
Other
19.36%
XCB
Other
33.63%
Banks
13.61%
Power
10.95%
Pipelines
8.02%
Other
33.80%
As of July 30, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XQB
CA135087T537
1.36%
CA135087T388
1.30%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.21%
CA135087U287
1.17%
CA135087T792
1.15%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1dec2057, CAD
1.08%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.01%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
0.99%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
0.94%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2034, CAD
0.92%
XCB
CA779926WF74
0.53%
CA06418Y4L93
0.53%
CA89116C7J09
0.46%
CA13607QQT27
0.45%
CA02079WAE18
0.43%
CA06418YXB96
0.42%
Royal Bank of Canada, 4.632% 1may2028, CAD
0.39%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 4.68% 8jan2029, CAD
0.39%
CA89116C3S44
0.38%
CA023135DX18
0.38%
Diversification
XQB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 583 total
11.13%
XCB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,317 total
4.36%
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 | 3.46% | 4.20% |
| 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 July 30, 2026, XQB has returned 0.88% year to date, while XCB has returned 1.18%. XCB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XQB or XCB?
As of July 30, 2026, XQB manages $534.17 M in assets, while XCB manages $3.39 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 Municipal, Sovereign, and Banks. XCB is most exposed to Banks, Power, and Pipelines.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XQB or XCB?
Year to date, XQB has seen +$18.91 M in net flows, compared with +$635.19 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% 1jun2035, CAD and Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1dec2057, CAD. XCB's top holdings include Royal Bank of Canada, 4.632% 1may2028, CAD and Toronto-Dominion Bank, 4.68% 8jan2029, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: XQB or XCB?
XQB holds 429 securities, while XCB holds 962. On holdings count, XCB is the more diversified portfolio.
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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.

