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Compare iShares Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF (XSB) vs Desjardins Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF (DCU) to find the best fit for your portfolio. XSB provides Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal exposures, while DCU is primarily weighted in Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, XSB features a management fee (MER) of 0.09%, compared to 0.07% for DCU. Performance-wise, XSB has returned 0.92% year-to-date with +$1 B in net flows, whereas DCU is at 0.32% with +$985 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
XSB
DCU
| AuM | $4,546.72 M | $2,563.05 M |
| Management Fees | 0.09% | 0.07% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.10% | 0.08% |
| Tracking Difference | - | -0.03% |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 23, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XSB | +0.51% | +0.05% | +0.92% | +0.86% | +14.65% |
DCU | +0.93% | -0.24% | +0.32% | -0.69% | +15.04% | |
| Flows | XSB | -$21 M | +$276 M | +$1,036 M | +$1,296 M | +$2,284 M |
DCU | +$95 M | +$202 M | +$985 M | +$1,187 M | +$2,393 M |
XSB vs DCU exposure
Countries
XSB
Canada
96.30%
DCU
Canada
96.84%
Sectors
XSB
Sovereign
37.37%
Finance
24.58%
Municipal
15.20%
Government Agencies
10.03%
Other
12.82%
DCU
Sovereign
35.90%
Municipal
27.52%
Finance
12.25%
Government Agencies
9.81%
Other
14.53%
As of October 23, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XSB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
3.54%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
3.52%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
2.81%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
2.64%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1feb2028, CAD
2.55%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
2.54%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
2.47%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1nov2027, CAD
2.47%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1aug2028, CAD
2.39%
Canada, Bonds 4% 1mar2029, CAD
2.37%
DCU
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.42%
Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y
1.38%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.37%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.36%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.35%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
1.30%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.27%
Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y
1.21%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD
1.17%
Canada, Bond 2 1jan2051 30Y
1.17%
Diversification
XSB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 770 total
27.28%
DCU
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,730 total
13.01%
Characteristics
Compare
XSB
DCU
| Provider | iShares | Desjardins Investments |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | FTSE Canada Short Term Overall Bond TR Index - CAD | Solactive Canadian Bond Universe Total Return Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 3.11% | 3.67% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 20, 2000 | March 21, 2017 |
Frequently asked questions about XSB and DCU
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XSB or DCU?
As of October 23, 2026, XSB has returned 0.92% year to date, while DCU has returned 0.32%. XSB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XSB or DCU?
As of October 23, 2026, XSB manages $4.55 B in assets, while DCU manages $2.56 B. XSB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XSB and DCU managed?
XSB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada Short Term Overall Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark. DCU is passively managed by Desjardins Investments. It tracks the Solactive Canadian Bond Universe Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XSB and DCU emphasize?
XSB is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal. DCU is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XSB or DCU?
Year to date, XSB has seen +$1,035.92 M in net flows, compared with +$985.24 M for DCU. XSB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XSB and DCU compare?
XSB has an expense ratio of 0.10%, while DCU has an expense ratio of 0.08%.
What are the top holdings of XSB and DCU?
XSB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD. DCU's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y, and Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: XSB or DCU?
XSB holds 759 securities, while DCU holds 1712. On holdings count, DCU is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XSB and DCU
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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.