A side-by-side comparison of Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond (VAB) and iShares Canadian Universe Bond (XBB) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
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1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | VAB | XBB |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | +0.46% | +0.50%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | -0.07%✓ | -0.18% |
| 1-Week Change | +0.15% | +0.28%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +1.43%✓ | +1.29% |
| Current Price | $23.00 | $28.18 |
| AUM | $7.35B | $10.03B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0% | 0% |
| Dividend Yield | 3.35% | 3.43%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2011-11-30 | 2000-11-20 |
| Holdings Count | 6 | 8 |
| MorningStar Rating | ★★★ | ★★★★ |
| Category | Canadian Fixed Income | Canadian Fixed Income |
| Beta | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| 52-Week High | $23.14 | $28.36 |
| 52-Week Low | $21.94 | $26.88 |
| 50-Day MA | $22.84 | $27.98 |
| 200-Day MA | $23.05 | $28.25 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | VAB | XBB |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | +0.46% | +0.50%✓ |
| 1 Year | +2.84% | +2.84% |
| 3 Year | +4.05% | +4.15%✓ |
| 5 Year | +0.75% | +0.80%✓ |
| 10 Year | +1.65% | +1.74%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 4.00% | 4.02% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.09 | 0.11 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | Canada (Government of) 2% | 1.93% | |
| 2 | Canada (Government of) 0.5% | 1.27% | |
| 3 | Canada (Government of) 1.75% | 1.22% | |
| 4 | Canada (Government of) 1.25% | 1.11% | |
| 5 | Ontario (Province Of) 3.45% | 0.94% | |
| 6 | Canada (Government of) 0.25% | 0.91% |
| 1 | Canada (Government of) 1.25% | 1.42% | |
| 2 | Canada (Government of) 1% | 1.16% | |
| 3 | Canada (Government of) 0.5% | 1.12% | |
| 4 | Quebec (Province Of) 3.5% | 1.07% | |
| 5 | Ontario (Province Of) 2.9% | 1.02% | |
| 6 | Canada (Government of) 2% | 1.00% | |
| 7 | Canada (Government of) 1.5% | 0.99% | |
| 8 | Canada (Government of) 1.75% | 0.95% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | VAB | XBB |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Communication Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Cyclicals | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Consumer Defensive | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Energy | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Financial Services | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Healthcare | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Industrials | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Real Estate | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Technology | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Utilities | 0.00% | 0.00% |
About VAB
Seeks to track the performance of the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Canadian Float Adjusted Bond Index to the extent possible and before fees and expenses.
About XBB
iShares Canadian Universe Bond (XBB.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both VAB and XBB are listed on Canadian exchanges and accessible through most Canadian brokerages including Questrade, Wealthsimple Trade, TD Direct, and Interactive Brokers.
Based on the available data, XBB scores higher across our tracked metrics including YTD performance, dividend yield, and AUM — though both ETFs warrant individual research before investing.
- Consider your account type (TFSA, RRSP, non-registered) as it can affect dividend taxation.
- Compare management expense ratios (MER) directly on each provider's website.
- Look at average daily trading volume to assess liquidity.
- Review the fund's underlying index and holdings to ensure the exposure matches your goals.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between VAB and XBB?
VAB (Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond) and XBB (iShares Canadian Universe Bond) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($7.35B vs $10.03B), dividend yield (3.35% vs 3.43%), and year-to-date performance (+0.46% vs +0.50%).
Is VAB better than XBB?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise dividends, compare both yields and choose based on your income needs. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy VAB and XBB on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both VAB and XBB should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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