A side-by-side comparison of Vanguard Core Bond ETF (VCRB) and First Trust TCW Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF (FIXD) to help Canadian investors make an informed decision.
1-Year Performance
Normalised to 100 at the start — shows relative return over the trailing 12 months.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | VCRB | FIXD |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -1.67%✓ | -2.78% |
| 1-Day Change | +0.30%✓ | +0.30% |
| 1-Week Change | +0.16% | +0.23%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +1.59%✓ | +1.56% |
| Current Price | $74.79 | $41.91 |
| AUM | $8.08B✓ | $2.84B |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | 0.09%✓ | 0.62% |
| Dividend Yield | 4.76% | 4.87%✓ |
| Distribution Frequency | — | — |
| Inception Date | 2023-12-14 | 2017-02-14 |
| Holdings Count | 2 | 10 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | US Bonds | US Bonds |
| Beta | 0.00 | 1.14 |
| 52-Week High | $76.76 | $43.78 |
| 52-Week Low | $73.09 | $38.41 |
| 50-Day MA | $74.67 | $42.08 |
| 200-Day MA | $76.62 | $43.33 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | VCRB | FIXD |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -1.67%✓ | -2.78% |
| 1 Year | -1.00%✓ | -2.25% |
| 3 Year | — | +5.16% |
| 5 Year | — | -0.88% |
| 10 Year | — | +0.00% |
| 1Y Volatility | 4.33% | 4.48% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.00 | -0.06 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | US16411QAN16 | CQP 3.25 31-JAN-32 | 0.02% |
| 2 | WS | Worthington Steel Inc | 0.00% |
| 1 | US06055HAB96 | BAC 6.125 | 0.33% |
| 2 | US902973BC96 | USB 3.7 | 0.31% |
| 3 | US693475BF18 | PNC 6.2 | 0.25% |
| 4 | US89832QAD16 | TFC 4.8 | 0.23% |
| 5 | XELLL | Xcel Energy Inc. 6.25% Junior Subordinated Notes, Series due 2085 | 0.19% |
| 6 | US29273VAM28 | Energy Transfer 7.125% perp. | 0.19% |
| 7 | US693475BC86 | PNC 3.4 | 0.18% |
| 8 | US064058AL44 | BK 3.75 | 0.17% |
| 9 | US02005NBN93 | ALLY 4.7 | 0.16% |
| 10 | JXN-PA | Jackson Financial Inc. | 0.08% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | VCRB | FIXD |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Materials | 100.00% | 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 VCRB
The fund invests in fixed income securities of various maturities, yields, and qualities. Under normal circumstances, the fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in bonds, which include fixed income securities such as corporate bonds; U.S. Treasury obligations and other U.S. government and agency securities; and asset-backed, mortgage-backed, and mortgage-related securities.
About FIXD
The fund pursues its objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in fixed income securities. It may invest up to 35% of its net assets in corporate, non-U.S. and non-agency debt and other securities rated below investment grade by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO), or, if unrated, judged to be of comparable quality by the Sub-Advisor.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both VCRB and FIXD 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, VCRB 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 VCRB and FIXD?
VCRB (Vanguard Core Bond ETF) and FIXD (First Trust TCW Opportunistic Fixed Income ETF) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($8.08B vs $2.84B), dividend yield (4.76% vs 4.87%), and year-to-date performance (-1.67% vs -2.78%).
Is VCRB better than FIXD?
There is no single "better" ETF — it depends on your investment goals. If you prioritise recent performance, VCRB has outperformed year-to-date. Always review the fund's prospectus and consider your tax situation.
Can I buy VCRB and FIXD on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both VCRB and FIXD should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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