VS
Compare iShares ESG Canadian Short Term Bond Index ETF (XSTB) vs iShares ESG Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (XSAB) to find the best fit for your portfolio. XSTB provides Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal exposures, while XSAB is primarily weighted in Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance. When evaluating costs, XSTB features a management fee (MER) of 0.15%, compared to 0.15% for XSAB. Performance-wise, XSTB has returned 0.31% year-to-date with +$28 M in net flows, whereas XSAB is at 0.96% with +$27 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
XSTB
XSAB
| AuM | $158.25 M | $236.14 M |
| Management Fees | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Exp. ratio | 0.17% | 0.17% |
| Tracking Difference | -0.17% | - |
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% |
XSAB | -1.16% | -2.55% | -0.96% | -1.15% | +11.73% | |
| Flows | XSTB | +$12 M | +$18 M | +$28 M | +$38 M | +$59 M |
XSAB | -$2 M | +$7 M | +$27 M | +$44 M | +$119 M |
XSTB vs XSAB exposure
Countries
XSTB
Canada
95.21%
XSAB
Canada
95.35%
Sectors
XSTB
Sovereign
40.26%
Finance
22.64%
Municipal
14.27%
Government Agencies
10.85%
Other
11.98%
XSAB
Sovereign
34.76%
Municipal
28.32%
Finance
14.20%
Government Agencies
7.26%
Other
15.45%
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%
XSAB
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD
1.44%
Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y
1.39%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD
1.39%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1dec2035, CAD
1.38%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2036, CAD
1.38%
Canada, Bond 1.5 1jun2031 10Y
1.31%
Canada, Bonds 3.25% 1jun2035, CAD
1.29%
Canada, Bond 0.5 1oct2030 10Y
1.21%
Canada, Bond 2 1jan2051 30Y
1.18%
Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2030, CAD
1.12%
Diversification
XSTB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 269 total
27.50%
XSAB
Total weight of top 10 holdings out of 749 total
13.08%
Characteristics
Compare
XSTB
XSAB
| Provider | iShares | iShares |
| Management | Passively managed | Passively managed |
| Benchmark | Bloomberg MSCI 1-5 Year Canadian Aggregate ESG Focus TR Index - CAD | Bloomberg MSCI Canadian Aggregate ESG Focus Index - USD |
| Replication Method | Direct (Physical) | Direct (Physical) |
| Asset Class | Fixed Income | Fixed Income |
| Dividend Policy | Distributing | Distributing |
| Trailing 12m distribution yield | 2.89% | 3.40% |
| Meets ESG criteria | Yes | Yes |
| Inception Date | March 18, 2019 | March 18, 2019 |
Frequently asked questions about XSTB and XSAB
Which ETF has performed better year to date: XSTB or XSAB?
As of September 11, 2026, XSTB has returned 0.31% year to date, while XSAB has returned -0.96%. XSTB is ahead on YTD performance.
Which ETF is larger by assets under management: XSTB or XSAB?
As of September 11, 2026, XSTB manages $158.25 M in assets, while XSAB manages $236.14 M. XSAB is the larger fund by AUM.
How are XSTB and XSAB managed?
XSTB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the Bloomberg MSCI 1-5 Year Canadian Aggregate ESG Focus TR Index - CAD benchmark. XSAB is passively managed by iShares. It tracks the Bloomberg MSCI Canadian Aggregate ESG Focus Index - USD benchmark.
What sectors do XSTB and XSAB emphasize?
XSTB is most exposed to Sovereign, Finance, and Municipal. XSAB is most exposed to Sovereign, Municipal, and Finance.
Which ETF is attracting more investor flows: XSTB or XSAB?
Year to date, XSTB has seen +$27.72 M in net flows, compared with +$27.13 M for XSAB. XSTB has attracted more net investor money so far.
How do the fees of XSTB and XSAB compare?
XSTB has an expense ratio of 0.17%, while XSAB has an expense ratio of 0.17%.
What are the top holdings of XSTB and XSAB?
XSTB's largest holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD, and Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y. XSAB's top holdings include Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1mar2031, CAD, Canada, Bond 1.25 1jun2030 10Y, and Canada, Bonds 2.75% 1sep2030, CAD.
Which ETF is more diversified: XSTB or XSAB?
XSTB holds 269 securities, while XSAB holds 749. On holdings count, XSAB 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.