VS
Compare iShares ESG Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF (XSTB) vs Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB) to find the best fit for your portfolio. XSTB provides Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal exposures, while VAB is primarily weighted in Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, XSTB features a management fee (MER) of 0.15%, compared to 0.08% for VAB. Performance-wise, XSTB has returned 0.31% year-to-date with +$28 M in net flows, whereas VAB is at 0.92% 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
XSTB
VAB
| AuM | $158.25 M | $7,503.60 M |
| Management Fees | 0.15% | 0.08% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.17% | 0.09% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.17% | -0.38% |
Historical performance and flows
As of September 11, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XSTB | -0.57% | -0.75% | +0.31% | +0.83% | +13.52% |
VAB | -1.18% | -2.58% | -0.92% | -1.10% | +13.90% | |
| Flows | XSTB | +$12 M | +$18 M | +$28 M | +$38 M | +$59 M |
VAB | +$131 M | +$355 M | +$1,204 M | +$1,936 M | +$3,391 M |
XSTB vs VAB exposure
Countries
XSTB
Canada
95.21%
VAB
Canada
96.44%
Sectors
XSTB
Sovereign
40.26%
Finance
22.64%
Municipal
14.27%
Government Agencies
10.85%
Other
11.98%
VAB
Sovereign
34.45%
Municipal
30.47%
Finance
13.10%
Government Agencies
7.29%
Other
14.69%
As of September 11, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XSTB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
3.38%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
3.36%
Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y
3.22%
Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y
2.87%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
2.75%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
2.54%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
2.43%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1aug2027, CAD
2.32%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1nov2027, CAD
2.32%
Canada, Bonds 2.25% 1feb2028, CAD
2.30%
VAB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.82%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.63%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.56%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.51%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.44%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.22%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.18%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
1.16%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
1.14%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1dec2057, CAD
1.13%
Diversification
XSTB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 269 total
27.50%
VAB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,305 total
13.78%
Characteristics
Compare
XSTB
VAB
| Provider | iShares | Vanguard |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg MSCI 1-5 Year Canadian Aggregate ESG Focus 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 | 2.89% | 3.48% |
| Meets ESG criteria | Yes | No |
| Inception Date | March 18, 2019 | November 30, 2011 |
Frequently asked questions about XSTB and VAB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XSTB or VAB?
As of September 11, 2026, XSTB has returned 0.31% year to date, while VAB has returned -0.92%. XSTB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XSTB or VAB?
As of September 11, 2026, XSTB manages $158.25 M in assets, while VAB manages $7.50 B. VAB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XSTB and VAB managed?
XSTB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the Bloomberg MSCI 1-5 Year Canadian Aggregate ESG Focus 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 XSTB and VAB emphasize?
XSTB is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal. VAB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XSTB or VAB?
Year to date, XSTB has seen +$27.72 M in net flows, compared with +$1,203.84 M for VAB. VAB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XSTB and VAB compare?
XSTB has an expense ratio of 0.17%, while VAB has an expense ratio of 0.09%.
What are the top holdings of XSTB and VAB?
XSTB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, and Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y. 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: XSTB or VAB?
XSTB holds 269 securities, while VAB holds 1305. On holdings count, VAB is the more diversified portfolio.
Recent articles about XSTB 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.