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RLB.TO vs. VAB.TO
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

RLB.TO vs. VAB.TO

Last updated Jul 16, 2026
Documentation

RLB.TO (RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF) and VAB.TO (Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF) are both Total Bond Market funds. RLB.TO is actively managed, while VAB.TO is passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RLB.TO returned 2.15%/yr vs 1.43%/yr for VAB.TO. At a 0.49 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

RLB.TO vs. VAB.TO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a CA$10,000 investment in RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF (RLB.TO) and Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB.TO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

As of year-to-date, both investments have demonstrated similar returns, with RLB.TO at 1.23% and VAB.TO at 1.23%. Over the past 10 years, RLB.TO has outperformed VAB.TO with an annualized return of 2.15%, while VAB.TO has yielded a comparatively lower 1.43% annualized return.

RLB.TO

1D
0.11%
1M
-0.05%
6M
0.96%
YTD
1.23%
1Y
3.35%
3Y*
5.06%
5Y*
2.10%
10Y*
2.15%

VAB.TO

1D
0.26%
1M
-0.49%
6M
0.66%
YTD
1.23%
1Y
4.33%
3Y*
4.15%
5Y*
0.31%
10Y*
1.43%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

RLB.TO vs. VAB.TO - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
RLB.TO
RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF		1.23%3.97%5.39%5.93%-5.15%-0.78%5.76%4.54%1.07%0.54%
VAB.TO
Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF		1.23%2.28%3.98%6.90%-11.86%-2.88%8.27%6.78%1.14%2.54%

Correlation

The correlation between RLB.TO and VAB.TO is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.60

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.57

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.56

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.49

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 16, 2016

0.49

The correlation between RLB.TO and VAB.TO shifts across timeframes, from 0.49 (all time) to 0.60 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF

Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF

Often compared with VAB.TO:
VAB.TO vs. ZAG.TOVAB.TO vs. XBB.TOVAB.TO vs. XCB.TOVAB.TO vs. VSB.TOVAB.TO vs. VFV.TOVAB.TO vs. VEQT.TOVAB.TO vs. TLT

Return for Risk

RLB.TO vs. VAB.TO — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
RLB.TO
RLB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 5353
Overall Rank
RLB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 5050
Sharpe Ratio Rank
RLB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 5151
Sortino Ratio Rank
RLB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 5858
Omega Ratio Rank
RLB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 5656
Calmar Ratio Rank
RLB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 5252
Martin Ratio Rank
VAB.TO
VAB.TO Risk / Return Rank: 3333
Overall Rank
VAB.TO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 3434
Sharpe Ratio Rank
VAB.TO Sortino Ratio Rank: 3030
Sortino Ratio Rank
VAB.TO Omega Ratio Rank: 3232
Omega Ratio Rank
VAB.TO Calmar Ratio Rank: 3737
Calmar Ratio Rank
VAB.TO Martin Ratio Rank: 3232
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

RLB.TO vs. VAB.TO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF (RLB.TO) and Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB.TO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

RLB.TOVAB.TODifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.44
1.01

+0.44

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.09
1.38

+0.71

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.29

1.18

+0.11

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.28

1.53

+0.75

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

7.18

3.85

+3.34

RLB.TO vs. VAB.TO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RLB.TO Sharpe Ratio is 1.44, which is higher than the VAB.TO Sharpe Ratio of 1.01. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RLB.TO and VAB.TO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

RLB.TO vs. VAB.TO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RLB.TO drawdown since its inception was -13.93%, smaller than the maximum VAB.TO drawdown of -18.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RLB.TO and VAB.TO.

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Drawdown Indicators

RLB.TOVAB.TODifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-13.93%

-18.39%

+4.46%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-1.48%

-2.83%

+1.35%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-1.48%

-4.84%

+3.36%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-7.68%

-15.82%

+8.14%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-13.93%

-18.39%

+4.46%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-0.16%

-2.29%

+2.13%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-1.52%

-4.06%

+2.54%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

0.47%

1.13%

-0.66%

Volatility

RLB.TO vs. VAB.TO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF (RLB.TO) is 0.53%, while Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF (VAB.TO) has a volatility of 1.24%. This indicates that RLB.TO experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VAB.TO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

RLB.TOVAB.TODifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

0.53%

1.24%

-0.71%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

1.97%

3.42%

-1.45%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

2.34%

4.37%

-2.03%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

3.01%

6.58%

-3.57%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

4.40%

6.46%

-2.06%

Dividends

RLB.TO vs. VAB.TO - Dividend Comparison

RLB.TO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.47%, more than VAB.TO's 3.35% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
RLB.TO
RBC 1-5 Year Laddered Canadian Bond ETF		3.47%3.25%2.99%2.65%2.54%2.27%2.44%2.66%2.81%2.95%2.32%0.00%
VAB.TO
Vanguard Canadian Aggregate Bond Index ETF		3.35%3.33%3.19%2.95%2.87%2.48%2.51%2.65%2.80%2.99%2.75%2.79%

Frequently Asked Questions

RLB.TO and VAB.TO have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

They also come from different issuers: RBC and Vanguard.

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