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 0.8% year-to-date with +$6 M in net flows, whereas XCB is at 0.92% with +$419 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 | $526.63 M | $3,212.36 M |
| Management Fees | 0.12% | 0.15% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.13% | 0.17% |
| Tracking Difference | - | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of April 24, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XQB | +1.44% | +0.05% | +0.80% | +2.92% | +11.58% |
XCB | +1.52% | +0.03% | +0.92% | +4.74% | +17.65% | |
| Flows | XQB | +$2 M | -$6 M | +$6 M | +$61 M | +$174 M |
XCB | +$96 M | +$354 M | +$419 M | +$1,082 M | +$1,406 M |
XQB vs XCB exposure
Countries
XQB
Canada
99.87%
XCB
Canada
99.13%
Sectors
XQB
Other
22.00%
Municipal
21.84%
Sovereign
20.08%
Banks
13.57%
Other
22.52%
XCB
Other
25.50%
Banks
16.56%
Power
11.30%
Pipelines
9.97%
Other
36.67%
As of April 24, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XQB
CA135087T537
1.45%
CA135087T388
1.35%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.28%
CA135087T792
1.11%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.03%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.01%
CA135087T461
1.00%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
0.98%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2034, CAD
0.98%
CA135087T610
0.97%
XCB
CA06418Y4L93
0.56%
CA779926WF74
0.53%
CA89116C7J09
0.52%
CA13607QQT27
0.48%
CA06418YXB96
0.43%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 4.21% 1jun2027, CAD
0.42%
Royal Bank of Canada, 4.632% 1may2028, CAD
0.42%
Toronto-Dominion Bank, 4.68% 8jan2029, CAD
0.41%
Bank of Montreal, 4.709% 7dec2027, CAD
0.41%
Bank of Montreal, 3.19% 1mar2028, CAD
0.39%
Diversification
XQB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 570 total
11.17%
XCB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,278 total
4.55%
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 | 3.41% | 4.14% |
| 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 April 24, 2026, XQB has returned 0.80% year to date, while XCB has returned 0.92%. XCB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XQB or XCB?
As of April 24, 2026, XQB manages $526.63 M in assets, while XCB manages $3.21 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 +$5.73 M in net flows, compared with +$418.75 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 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD. XCB's top holdings include Toronto-Dominion Bank, 4.21% 1jun2027, CAD and Royal Bank of Canada, 4.632% 1may2028, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: XQB or XCB?
XQB holds 463 securities, while XCB holds 1012. On holdings count, XCB is the more diversified portfolio.
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