VS
Compare iShares Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF (XSB) vs Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB) to find the best fit for your portfolio. XSB provides Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal exposures, while VAB is primarily weighted in Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, XSB features a management fee (MER) of 0.09%, compared to 0.08% for VAB. Performance-wise, XSB has returned 0.92% year-to-date with +$1 B in net flows, whereas VAB is at 0.26% 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
XSB
VAB
| AuM | $4,546.72 M | $7,712.77 M |
| Management Fees | 0.09% | 0.08% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.10% | 0.09% |
| Tracking Difference | - | -0.39% |
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% |
VAB | +0.94% | -0.25% | +0.26% | -0.74% | +17.07% | |
| Flows | XSB | -$21 M | +$276 M | +$1,036 M | +$1,296 M | +$2,284 M |
VAB | +$136 M | +$326 M | +$1,344 M | +$1,737 M | +$3,398 M |
XSB vs VAB exposure
Countries
XSB
Canada
96.30%
VAB
Canada
95.36%
Sectors
XSB
Sovereign
37.37%
Finance
24.58%
Municipal
15.20%
Government Agencies
10.03%
Other
12.82%
VAB
Sovereign
33.64%
Municipal
30.37%
Finance
12.89%
Government Agencies
7.37%
Other
15.74%
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%
VAB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.83%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.57%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.52%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.44%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.41%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD
1.29%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.23%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
1.14%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1feb2028, CAD
1.13%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.13%
Diversification
XSB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 770 total
27.28%
VAB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,316 total
13.70%
Characteristics
Compare
XSB
VAB
| Provider | iShares | Vanguard |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | FTSE Canada Short Term Overall Bond TR Index - CAD | Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian 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 | 3.11% | 3.44% |
| Meets ESG criteria | No | No |
| Inception Date | November 20, 2000 | November 30, 2011 |
Frequently asked questions about XSB and VAB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XSB or VAB?
As of October 23, 2026, XSB has returned 0.92% year to date, while VAB has returned 0.26%. XSB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XSB or VAB?
As of October 23, 2026, XSB manages $4.55 B in assets, while VAB manages $7.71 B. VAB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XSB and VAB managed?
XSB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada Short Term Overall Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark. VAB is passively managed by Vanguard. It tracks the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Total Return Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XSB and VAB emphasize?
XSB is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal. VAB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XSB or VAB?
Year to date, XSB has seen +$1,035.92 M in net flows, compared with +$1,343.98 M for VAB. VAB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XSB and VAB compare?
XSB has an expense ratio of 0.10%, while VAB has an expense ratio of 0.09%.
What are the top holdings of XSB and VAB?
XSB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD. VAB's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, and Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: XSB or VAB?
XSB holds 759 securities, while VAB holds 1301. On holdings count, VAB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XSB and VAB
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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.