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Compare iShares ESG Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF (XSTB) vs iShares Canadian Universe Bond Index ETF (XBB) to find the best fit for your portfolio. XSTB provides Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal exposures, while XBB is primarily weighted in Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, XSTB features a management fee (MER) of 0.15%, compared to 0.09% for XBB. Performance-wise, XSTB has returned 1.09% year-to-date with +$45 M in net flows, whereas XBB is at 0.62% with +$2 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
XBB
| AuM | $176.35 M | $10,954.76 M |
| Management Fees | 0.15% | 0.09% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.17% | 0.10% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.18% | - |
Historical performance and flows
As of October 30, 2026
| 1M | 3M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perf. | XSTB | +0.72% | -0.04% | +1.09% | +1.04% | +13.94% |
XBB | +1.49% | -0.35% | +0.62% | -0.33% | +15.78% | |
| Flows | XSTB | +$18 M | +$29 M | +$45 M | +$49 M | +$81 M |
XBB | -$17 M | +$985 M | +$2,082 M | +$2,561 M | +$4,564 M |
XSTB vs XBB exposure
Countries
XSTB
Canada
94.55%
XBB
Canada
95.50%
Sectors
XSTB
Sovereign
39.55%
Finance
23.48%
Municipal
13.36%
Government Agencies
10.87%
Other
12.74%
XBB
Sovereign
33.30%
Municipal
28.35%
Finance
13.96%
Government Agencies
7.14%
Other
17.25%
As of October 30, 2026
Top 10 Holdings
XSTB
Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y
3.16%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
3.13%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
3.12%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
3.12%
Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y
2.71%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
2.51%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
2.41%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1may2028, CAD
2.34%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD
2.34%
Canada, Bonds 2.5% 1nov2027, CAD
2.30%
XBB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.50%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.50%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.48%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1sep2031, CAD
1.45%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.44%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.38%
Canada, Bonds 3% 1jun2034, CAD
1.20%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.19%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1dec2057, CAD
1.13%
Canada, Bonds 3.5% 1sep2029, CAD
1.11%
Diversification
XSTB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 269 total
27.12%
XBB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 1,921 total
13.38%
Characteristics
Compare
XSTB
XBB
| Provider | iShares | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg MSCI 1-5 Year Canadian Aggregate ESG Focus TR Index - CAD | FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 2.88% | 3.52% |
| Meets ESG criteria | Yes | No |
| Inception Date | March 18, 2019 | November 20, 2000 |
Frequently asked questions about XSTB and XBB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XSTB or XBB?
As of October 30, 2026, XSTB has returned 1.09% year to date, while XBB has returned 0.62%. XSTB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XSTB or XBB?
As of October 30, 2026, XSTB manages $176.35 M in assets, while XBB manages $10.95 B. XBB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XSTB and XBB managed?
XSTB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the Bloomberg MSCI 1-5 Year Canadian Aggregate ESG Focus TR Index - CAD benchmark. XBB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the FTSE Canada Universe Bond TR Index - CAD benchmark.
What sectors do XSTB and XBB emphasize?
XSTB is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal. XBB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XSTB or XBB?
Year to date, XSTB has seen +$45.37 M in net flows, compared with +$2,081.98 M for XBB. XBB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XSTB and XBB compare?
XSTB has an expense ratio of 0.17%, while XBB has an expense ratio of 0.10%.
What are the top holdings of XSTB and XBB?
XSTB's largest holdings include Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, and Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y. XBB's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD and Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: XSTB or XBB?
XSTB holds 268 securities, while XBB holds 1855. On holdings count, XBB 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.