A side-by-side comparison of iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF (XLB) and Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond (VAB) 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 | XLB | VAB |
|---|---|---|
| YTD Return | -3.20% | -2.01%✓ |
| 1-Day Change | +0.39%✓ | +0.27% |
| 1-Week Change | -0.45% | -0.22%✓ |
| 1-Month Change | +2.23%✓ | +0.94% |
| Current Price | $17.85 | $22.44 |
| AUM | $887M | $7.74B✓ |
| MER (Expense Ratio) | — | — |
| Dividend Yield | 4.29%✓ | 3.64% |
| Distribution Frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Inception Date | 2006-11-06 | 2011-11-30 |
| Holdings Count | 9 | 6 |
| MorningStar Rating | — | — |
| Category | Canadian Bonds | Canadian Bonds |
| Beta | 1.02 | 1.00 |
| 52-Week High | $18.61 | $22.99 |
| 52-Week Low | $17.24 | $22.10 |
| 50-Day MA | $17.71 | $22.39 |
| 200-Day MA | $18.33 | $22.79 |
✓ marks the better value for return/yield/AUM metrics. Lower ✓ for MER.
Annualised Returns
| Period | XLB | VAB |
|---|---|---|
| YTD | -3.20% | -2.01%✓ |
| 1 Year | -3.58% | -1.03%✓ |
| 3 Year | +4.09% | +4.90%✓ |
| 5 Year | -2.41% | +0.46%✓ |
| 10 Year | +0.34% | +1.31%✓ |
| 1Y Volatility | 8.21% | 4.10% |
| Sharpe Ratio (3Y) | 0.07 | 0.25 |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Top 10 Holdings
| 1 | Canada (Government of) 2% | 5.74% | |
| 2 | Quebec (Province Of) 3.5% | 2.42% | |
| 3 | Ontario (Province Of) 3.45% | 2.33% | |
| 4 | Ontario (Province Of) 2.9% | 2.16% | |
| 5 | Quebec (Province Of) 3.1% | 2.15% | |
| 6 | Ontario (Province Of) 2.65% | 2.07% | |
| 7 | Ontario (Province Of) 4.65% | 2.00% | |
| 8 | Ontario (Province Of) 2.8% | 1.89% | |
| 9 | Quebec (Province Of) 5% | 1.89% |
| 1 | Canada (Government of) 2% | 1.86% | |
| 2 | Canada (Government of) 0.5% | 1.23% | |
| 3 | Canada (Government of) 1.75% | 1.25% | |
| 4 | Canada (Government of) 1.25% | 1.14% | |
| 5 | Ontario (Province Of) 3.45% | 0.94% | |
| 6 | Canada (Government of) 0.25% | 0.90% |
Sector Weights
| Sector | XLB | VAB |
|---|---|---|
| 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 XLB
iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF (XLB.TO) is a Canadian-listed ETF traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange. More detailed information will be available soon.
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.
Which ETF is Right for You?
Both XLB and VAB 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, VAB 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 XLB and VAB?
XLB (iShares Core Canadian Long Term Bond Index ETF) and VAB (Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond) are both Canadian-listed ETFs. Key differences include their AUM ($887M vs $7.74B), dividend yield (4.29% vs 3.64%), and year-to-date performance (-3.20% vs -2.01%).
Is XLB better than VAB?
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 XLB and VAB on Wealthsimple?
Most Canadian-listed ETFs are available on Wealthsimple Trade commission-free. Both XLB and VAB should be accessible. Check Wealthsimple's supported tickers list to confirm availability.
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